Gabriel Morales, age 2, of Los Banos sits with Santa at the 37th Annual Los Banos Kiwanis Club's Christmas Eve dinner co-sponsored by the Los Banos Fire Department. Over 70 volunteers help prepare a chicken barbecue dinner for 950 people. Many volunteers donated their time by delivering the meals to those unable to leave their homes. Santa visited with the children with every child receiving a gift. Jesse Chew, a bilingual singer and guitarist entertained everyone at the dinner.
Kiwanis International of Los Banos will be hosting its 39th annual community Christmas Eve dinner on Dec 24 along with the Los Banos Fire Department.
Last year, 950 residents were treated to a wonderful drive-through dinner. This year, more than 950 meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and it will be a sit-in dining experience. Shut-ins will have their meals delivered to their homes first.
Los Banos Kiwanis Club member, Jim Paradiso, right, works with other volunteers to prepare meals to be delivered to those unable to attend the 37th Annual Los Banos Kiwanis Club’s Christmas Eve dinner Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019 co-sponsored and held at the Los Banos Fire Department. Over 70 volunteers help prepare a chicken barbecue dinner for 950 people. Many volunteers donated their time by delivering the meals to those unable to leave their homes. Santa visited with the children with every child receiving a gift. Jesse Chew, a bilingual singer and guitarist entertained everyone at the dinner.
It is open to all in the community who want to share in being with others during the holidays. This year’s menu will be chicken, rigatoni, salad and a roll. The event is at the Fire Department #1 located at 333 7th Street Los Banos.
Santa will even take time out from his very busy schedule to provide candy canes and stuffed animals to local youth from noon to 2 pm. There will be a raffle available for children, and adult gifts. The proceeds from the raffle help sponsor Kiwanis scholarships.
Los Banos Fire Department Volunteer Lieutenant, Tommy Flynn prepares some chicken at the 37th Los Banos Kiwanis Club’s Christmas Eve dinner co-sponsored by the Los Banos Fire Department. Over 70 volunteers help prepare a chicken barbecue dinner for 950 people. Many volunteers donated their time by delivering the meals to those unable to leave their homes. Santa visited with the children with every child receiving a gift. Jesse Chew, a bilingual singer and guitarist entertained everyone at the dinner.
Raffle gifts (wrapped or unwrapped) and cash donations are always welcome to help provide this valuable community service since it gets bigger and better annually. Kiwanis also have a need for butter chips or squares if anyone has access to these items. The normal donor no longer has them available. Any donations will be gladly picked-up by a member.
For additional information, shut-in delivery requests, or donation pick-ups, contact Kiwanis President Isabel Mendonca at (209) 261-2279.
Esau Mike, age 6 of Los Banos, enjoys his pasta Tuesday at the 37th Annual Los Banos Kiwanis Club’s Christmas Eve dinner co-sponsored by the Los Banos Fire Department. Over 70 volunteers help prepare a chicken barbecue dinner for 950 people. Many volunteers donated their time by delivering the meals to those unable to leave their homes. Santa visited with the children with every child receiving a gift. Jesse Chew, a bilingual singer and guitarist entertained everyone at the dinner.
Sandy Lemas is a longtime resident of Los Banos who has volunteered much of her time to community service. She will be writing a regular column on volunteers and volunteer organizations that help their community.
