The first year Phil Waterford decided to share the season with the less fortunate in the Manteca community by staging a free Christmas Eve breakfast and toy giveaway at his North Main street Manteca Ford dealership he was stunned.
He arrived at 6 a.m. to help get things ready and there was already a line of families with small children forming. As other volunteers went about setting up grills, preparing food to cook, and turning the showroom at 555 North Main Street into a communal dining room, Waterford got heaters to place outside by the line and started serving hot chocolate.
More than 600 people were served.
That was 12 years ago.
More than 1,000 people are expected Tuesday morning from 8 to 11 a.m. to enjoy a free Christmas Eve Breakfast at Phil Waterford’s Manteca Ford.
While Waterford and his small army of volunteers will be able to make sure those attending will be able to enjoy a hot breakfast, they may not be able to have enough toys as they have in the past to make sure every kid under 12 years leaves with a present with Santa.
A family loss has taken time away that Waterford normally spends asking for toys for the event with the passing of his wife’s mother. Waterford and his family have been flying back and forth to South Texas where his mother-in-law’s services took place this past weekend.
As of Saturday they were still short hundreds of toys.
In the past every child 12 and under has received an age appropriate toy, a chance to meet Santa, and a meal. They have also collaborating with the Second Harvest Food Bank this year. Every family will receive a bag of groceries and fresh fruit. The goal is to help bridge the gap for struggling families between Christmas and New Year’s.
Assisting with the event are Inter City Action, the Manteca Rotary Club, Foster Farms, Crystal Diary, Oak Valley Community Bank, the Manteca Bowling Association, and the Second Harvest Food Bank.
You can drop toys by the showroom during normal business hours today.
The event has served more than 12,000 free breakfasts since its inception.
For more information call 209-239-3561 or email tina@mantecaford.net.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
