Living in the shadow of the CalPortland cement company, the tiny community of Rillito has celebrated Christmas in a special way for the past nine years, thanks to a brainstorm of one of the cement plant's workers.
Every year on the first Saturday of December, the company sponsors a golf tournament to raise money for a holiday party for Rillito residents, using the proceeds to buy gifts and food for children and families, said the event's founder, Larry Duke.
"Years ago, the guys at work were talking about holding a golf tournament so that we could all get together and golf, and I figured out a way to invite all our contractors and vendors and everyone we do business with, too, and have everyone pitch in. Then I had the idea of selling all the raffle stuff that we bring and everyone donates and all that money that's generated, use it for these families," said Duke, a kiln supervisor for the past 17 years.
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"Everyone in this area could use some help, and they are our nearest neighbors being right next to the plant, so everything we raise, we put it to use right here," Duke added.
A list is put up at the local post office, where people can write kids' names, ages, and what they want for Christmas. Then Duke does the shopping. Kids up to 12 get $65 worth of toys, while those 13-18 receive a $65 Walmart gift card.
Each family receives a turkey or ham and a $50 gift card.
Duke's wife, Margie, and daughter Desiree help wrap the gifts.
"If they ask for a bike, we give them a bike. When they don't ask for stuff, Santa Claus here has to go just based on their age and whatever, and go get them stuff," Duke said with a smile.
Rillito residents gathered Dec. 15 in the Rillito Vista Recreation Center, many of the children in pajamas as they waited for Duke to call each child to sit on Santa's lap to receive gifts.
Lynnette Hill, an aunt to two children getting gifts, looked on.
"I love this. I love the look on their faces when Santa shows up - that's the most special part for me. The kids are getting things that we can't afford to buy them, so if somebody else can buy them, then I can concentrate on getting stuff that they need," Hill said.
Five-year-old James Holladay got his Christmas wish - Lincoln Logs - which he clutched with a death grip.
"I like that it's Christmas and I like my toys. I love all my toys. It's so fun to get toys and play. I'm so happy," the beaming little boy said.
As for Duke, the giving is far better than the receiving, he said as he watched parents line up to receive a turkey or ham from the cement company's accounting manager, Kurt Griffith.
"It's so rewarding. It's almost better than Christmas at my house. Sometimes what we give these kids is the best thing that they are going to get."
Contact photographer David Sanders at 954-3153 or dsanders@azstarnet.com
