Santa’s back in downtown Manteca to hear Christmas wishes.

The Manteca Rotary has taken over the Santa Hut in the Manteca Bedquarters parking lot at Yosemite Avenue and Main Street.

Santa’s hours are:

today from noon to 4 p.m.

Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 13, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 6 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 16, from 1 to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 20, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 21 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 22, from 1 to 6 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 23, from 1 to 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa made his first appearance downtown last Saturday during the Manteca Chamber of Commerce Christmas in the Park event at Library Park along with Mrs. Claus.

On his first morning in Manteca he listened to the Christmas wishes of 150 children.

Santa said he was touched by one young 7-year-old girl who came running toward him with arms outreached giving him a greater hug than any he can remember.  As she was asking for several gifts an aunt whispered in Santa’s ear, “Her mother passed away two weeks ago.”

With a lump in his throat, the jolly old elf listened more intently as the girl went through a short list for a most important gift, “Can you please take a present to my Mom in heaven?” she asked. 

“Wow, that blew me away,” Santa remembered from his busy weekend meeting with kids from the community. “It was an amazing hug she gave me and I didn’t expect that.”

 Rotarians plan to plaster the exterior of the hut following the Christmas season to ready it for next year.  Those who have been working on Santa’s abode and were involved in the Library Park Christmas in the Park event included, Shawn Nussbaumer, Charlie Halford and Kathy Bruner, Nick and Sallie Obligacion, Dave and Pennie Marques, Paul Carmona, Eddie Torres and Jeff Zellner.  

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.