GUADALUPE, Ariz. — Dozens in Guadalupe didn't have to go to far to see Santa this holiday season.
On Friday, about 80 families in need gathered at the Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) Guadalupe Family Resource Center for food, gifts and a visit from the big man himself.
For Pauline Casias and her grandson Jake, this celebration has become an annual tradition for them.
“I like it when [the grandkids] come over here," Casias said. "They do activities with them and helped me you know, help them and stuff.”
CPLC has hosted this celebration for five years now according to the Associate of Director of Parenting Arizona, Renato Ramos.
“It's just spending that time with our families," Ramos said, "We serve these families year round, we're just trying to share in that joy with them, the joy of the season of being able to come together to keep building community.”
Apart from the gifts that were given to each family, what really excited the kids was seeing Santa Claus arrive in a driverless Waymo. He greeted every child and read them a few Christmas stories before handing out presents. The only thing bigger than the presents were the smiles on their faces.
“The kids are enjoying [this]," Ramos said. "They're getting into the spirit of the season.”
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