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A KIWANIS CHRISTMAS
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Lisa Wright helps a local student pick out clothes at Kohl's (ANGELINA MARTIN/The Journal).

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Turlock got into the Christmas spirit early this year on Wednesday, helping students, children and families from Denair schools and Osborn Two-Way Immersion Academy make sure they have enough clothes to keep warm this winter, and enough food to stay full. After fundraising all year, the club was able to provide anywhere from $75 to $200 worth each of Kohl’s jackets, pants, shirts and more to 60 children and their families — a tradition that’s lasted over 25 years, Kiwanis member and organizer Mary Ann Urrutia said.

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Todd Wright helps a local student pick out clothes at Kohl's (ANGELINA MARTIN/The Journal).

New to the charity event this year were food boxes put together by Kiwanis member Mike Staack, which included staples like canned vegetables, rolled oats, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, ham and more.

According to Urrutia, the Kiwanis reach out to local schools who may not be taking part in any other Christmas charities. That way, no infant, child or teen is left behind. Kiwanians and children looked through the aisles at Kohl’s, with some volunteers even taking money from their own pockets to help each child receive more. The money raised for the shopping spree comes from various events the Kiwanis host throughout the year, including their fireworks booth, Maytini and the Stanislaus County Fair stand.

“We want to thank the community for coming to our events,” Urrutia said. “All of the money they donate, this is how we spend it.”

PICTURED: Anthony Figueroa and Jonathan Figueroa pick out clothes with the help of Kiwanis members Todd Wright and Lisa Wright.