Talk of the Town: Let’s all be Santa’s helpers this year!

The season is under way with loads of parties and lots of good will toward men...and women,... and children! Let’s give a big round of applause to the Country Fair White Elephant which gave away $1.3 million Thursday. The area’s biggest resale shop takes donated goods, sells them and donates the proceeds to worthy organizations. That’s the best kind of Santa Claus in my opinion!

The Coffee Caboose at the Rancho Sahuarita Club House is hosting a food drive for the Green Valley Community Food Bank through Dec. 23. Owner Mary Grover says food donations may be dropped off Sunday, Dec. 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 22, from 7 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 7 a.m. to noon. Sahuarita High School senior Alyssa Reilly has worked for the Coffee Caboose for three years and is excited to be a part of a project helping the community. Other staff from the Coffee Caboose working on our food drive with great diligence is Gretchen Ramage and Lorrie Stewart.

Each year at December’s meeting, the Eastern States Club (formerly the Tri-State Club) sponsors the children from the San Xavier Mission School grades 1-4 to at a dinner and party at the West Center.

This year, 70 children enjoyed a turkey dinner with dressing and ice cream and cake.

The children presented the story of Christmas, and right on time, Santa made an appearance to present a gift to each child.

At the conclusion of the party, Gary Kissinger, president of the club, presented Shirley Kalinowski, the school principal, with a $500 donation for the school.

rford@gvnews.com Ç 547-9740