On a foggy weekend, Santa still found his way to traditional toy giveaways

Cold and fog did not deter Santa Claus from making his rounds this weekend as various organizations held Christmas toy giveaways.

In addition to toys for children, there was food and groceries handed out in drive-through events due to the coronavirus resurgence.

Here is a quick look at two Christmas events.

When Dr. José Luis Bautista was growing up, he didn’t believe in Santa Claus because his poor household did not have much.

For the 25th consecutive year, Bautista and volunteers organized the Navidad en el Barrio for about 2,000 families. The previous weekend, 1,000 were helped in Sanger.

“It wasn’t me. It was our coworkers,” said Bautista, whose Bautista Medical Group and Bautista Foundation have spearheaded the traditional Christmas giveaway. “A lot of them were poor kids, and they didn’t have any toys.”

The workers asked that a Christmas toy giveaway be held to benefit children who would otherwise not have a bright Christmas.

Saturday morning, cars drove up and were loaded with groceries and toys specifically for boys and girls. Candy canes, hot chocolate, hot dogs, Mexican sweet bread, and other items.

Soccer balls and dolls were among the unwrapped presents handed out.

“Every time, we see between 2,000 and 3,000 children,” said Bautista.

Not even the pandemic has put a damper on the Bautista tradition, which also had support from El Mercado Super this year.

“The pandemic has not stopped us,” said Bautista. “But, hopefully next year is going to be open.”

An in-person event would include photos with Santa Claus and live entertainment.

About a mile away in Chinatown, Santa Claus showed up along with the Grinch to help distribute toys and food to families at a drive-through event for Christmas with Lulu.

The celebration, which was organized by the Lulu Foundation and the Fresno Police Officers Association, distributed toys, blankets, and food. Children’s bicycles were also given randomly.

Other Christmas events were held at Sunnyside High School and the Biola Veterans of Foreign Wars building.

The previous weekend, the Latino Rotary Club distributed toys and food at Chukchansi Park.