Perhaps you have recently heard in the local news around Paso Robles, that the Police Departments annual Santa Claus neighborhood visits have been suspended because of funding. In other words, there is no money during these difficult financial times for Santa to visit this town in his sleigh and see the children in the local neighborhoods. Bah humbug!
Well, budgets are certainly tight in local communities all over this country, but the Spirit of Christmas has never died! When local citizens heard of this problem, local citizens responded! Three businesses in the area, including Estrella Associates, Re/Max Parkside Real Estate and Pomar Junction Winery, all run by local area citizens have volunteered money, time, and decorative donations to bring Santa back! They will install the sleigh on a flat bed trailer, decorate the trailer, and donate time as Elves and other helpers to drive Santa through 5 neighborhoods for 5 consecutive evenings from 12/18 - 12/22/08.
The police department will provide much needed monitoring of the safety around the sleigh, but it's truly the citizens of this town who will fill the gap. It's as it should be. Government doing whatever it can to promote safety for it's citizens and the citizens themselves doing what is right for their neighbors. Times may be tough, but these times can certainly teach us all how to get back to the basics of doing for ourselves. We're good at it!
Thank you, Paso Robles!