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Joy and wonder

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Sonoma Valley Sun

Sonoma Raceway hosted more than 230 Sonoma Valley children and their families at the eighth annual Race to the Holidays Christmas Party. The Dec. 15 party featured caroling, refreshments, and a visit from Santa Claus, who arrived on a Schell-Vista Fire Department fire truck.

The event, which has served more than 1,800 children since its inception in 2005, culminated with each child, newborns to 12-year-olds, receiving a bag full of toys. “I had so much fun today,” said Sonoma’s Angeles Qunitero, age six. “My favorite part was getting a gift, getting a stuffed animal and seeing Santa.”

Maria Calvillo of La Luz Center, one of six nonprofits to register the young guests said, “This is a great opportunity for these families, some of whom cannot afford gifts this year. It’s been a really tough year for some of them, so this means a lot.”

The raceway received a generous outpouring of support from the community as more than 700 toys were donated for the party. The raceway also received toy donations from United Site Services and the Sonoma Valley Mother’s Club, as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste for each child from the American Red




Sonoma Sun | Sonoma, CA