Santa’s helpers go shopping in Modesto

The Letters to Santa crew of 60 shoppers descended Saturday on Walmart Supercenter on McHenry Avenue, buying clothing essentials and a toy for 456 Stanislaus County children this year, a record number shopped for in record time. “This was really our smoothest and greatest year,” said organizer Justin Crone. Sixty volunteer shoppers picked out the allotted seven items per child in about 21/2 hours, he said, though putting the baskets together was expected to take until nearly midnight. Walmart worked with the charity to preorder enough coats, shoes, socks, pants, underwear, shirts, jackets and toys. Gift baskets and a turkey dinner will be handed out later this week to 109 families selected by teachers. “When you read the letters, they’re asking for essentials. You know the teachers are picking the ones with the most need,” Crone said. Gift baskets also went to 120 foster children.

This story was originally published November 22, 2014 at 8:35 PM with the headline "Santa’s helpers go shopping in Modesto."