Newsroom
City of Corona Holiday Event for Head Start Children
On Friday, December 18, 2009, the Corona Public Library sparkled with the smiles of over 200 children from the Riverside County Office of Education’s Head Start programs in the Corona-Norco area as they were showered with Christmas gifts by Corona’s city employees. This special and joyous event marked the fourteenth year that firefighters, police officers, and city staff have partnered with RCOE Head Start to make the holidays brighter for the neediest children in the Corona community.
The children in attendance are enrolled in Head Start programs at Jefferson, Garretson, and Home Gardens Elementary schools, and at the Norco campus of Riverside Community College. With the assistance of their parents and teachers, each of the children had written a wish list, and the city staff took it from there. More than 200 city employees bought gifts, including bicycles, dolls, games, shoes, clothing, and even a goldfish for the preschoolers.
The event was organized by library outreach coordinator John “Mr. Z” Zickefoose, but the star of the annual event was Santa Claus, who arrived on a fire truck (in accordance with strict FAA restrictions regarding irregularly scheduled sleigh flights). With their helmets decorated with antlers, lights, and other seasonal ornamentation, firefighters eagerly served as Mr. Claus’ special helpers. Library literacy coordinator Sal Morano played the guitar and “Mr. Z” humorously and enthusiastically engaged the children in storytelling. Corona City Manager Brad Robbins and Fire Chief David Waltemeyer also joined in the festivities.
Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Kenn Young thanked the city staff for their ongoing partnership with Head Start and for their commitment to bringing happier holidays to these children and their community.
For information contact:
Rick Peoples,
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
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