Santa Arrives on a Fire Truck for Racine County Food Bank

The didn't stop in this year, but the need for the Racine County Food Bank doesn't stop, either.

To help the Food Bank meet the needs in the community, and Sturtevant are hosting the first ever Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Holiday Food Drive from 7 to 8 pm on Thurs., Dec. 15, at Mount Pleasant Village Hall.

"The Holiday Train is an annual event that really brought the community together," said South Shore Fire Chief William Bouma, the idea man behind the Food Drive. "Just because the train didn't stop here doesn't mean the Food Bank doesn't need our help."

Bouma, Mount Pleasant Village President Carolyn Milkie, Sturtevant Trustee Linda Busha, Mount Pleasant Community Development Coordinator Logan Martin and Patch Editor Heather Asiyanbi round out the committee.

Cash donations usually total about $2,000 at the Holiday Train event, and food donations typically weigh in at several hundred pounds if not more. The committee hopes to raise as much as the Holiday Train event. Weather reports for Thurs., Dec. 15, are looking somewhat favorable: high of 44 but no rain or snow.

Support from the community includes generous donations of time and talents from the True Life Ministries Choir and the Smiler Grogan Case jazz trio. Ruud Lighting is sponsoring face painting and balloon decorating from Cuddles and Billy and on Washington Avenue is making sure there's plenty of hot chocolate, coffee and cookies to go around. Kids will still have plenty to do after face painting and balloons by decorating ornaments for Mount Pleasant's first Village Christmas Tree.

But what is a holiday party without Santa? That jolliest of elves will arrive at approximately 7:30, but not on a sleigh. No ordinary ride for Santa this year. Instead, he will make the party in true style: amid full lights and the siren of a South Shore fire truck! Santa's bag will be filled with goodies for kids of all ages to enjoy.

"We just want people to come out and have a good time and give to the Food Bank," Busha stated. "There is real need in our community and we can't forget that. Plus, it's good to get together like this and have fun as a community."