Yes, it’s December and yes, we’re all waiting on Santa Claus. Yet, elves from the local Santa Claus Club – led by John Fowler – know the Christmas season of giving lasts all year. So what started as strictly a holiday effort quite some time ago has grown into collecting toys, clothing, home supplies, bicycles, blankets, and just about everything else and then weekly trips into local barrios throughout the year to distribute items to families in need. Donations from The Santa Claus Club have also made their way to the Amores de Peñasco Children’s Crisis Shelter, the “Casa Hogar” home for the elderly, area schools, health clinics, and even to support efforts by other charitable organizations.
Even with the yearlong efforts of The Santa Claus Club, Christmas time brings with it an extra thrill as the elves and Santa Fowler ready for their annual Christmas “Party” trip out to area neighborhoods. Last year, The Santa Claus Club gave out presents to about 2000 kids at Christmas time, which included 615 bicycles. “This year,” explained Fowler, “we’ve almost topped that number of bicycles, and definitely the number of presents. Plus, that’s just at Christmas time – last year we gave out probably about 12,000 toys to area kids over the whole year.”
Interested in donating? Donations can be dropped off at Baja Cantina Hotel in the Mirador or at JJ’s Cantina in Cholla Bay through Dec. 22nd for this year’s Christmas outing, which will take place Dec. 23rd departing from JJ’s in Cholla Bay. Toys in good condition plus clothes and blankets, oh and don’t forget bicycles, are encouraged as gifts. Interested in being an elf? Show up Dec. 23rd to JJ’s Cantina sometime after 9 a.m. as the “sleigh” will be heading out at 9:30 a.m. and making its way to Col. San Rafael this year for gift distribution around 10 a.m.
For more information on how to become a member, volunteer, or to donate, contact:
Santa Claus Club
c/o John Fowler
PO BOX 5
Lukeville, AZ 85341
Phoenix – (602) 840-1528
Rocky Point – (638) 382-5141
santaclausclub@hotmail.com
ask@santaclausclub.org
Online: www.santaclausclub.org