The Grinch was knocked for a loop again. On Saturday, Lodi Adopt-A-Child held a massive Christmas party from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Gifts were there for almost 1,100 children. On Sunday, deliveries were scheduled for more than 125 new bicycles for Christmas. The only way Santa won the yearly battle was through the generosity and giving of the people of Lodi.

I annually stand in awe of the generosity and trust given to Lodi Adopt-A-Child. I do not know exactly how many children were sponsored by the community; to those a heartfelt “thank you.” Children not sponsored were shopped for using the generous financial contributions of more than 500 individuals and companies; thank you. Thank you to all the volunteers — from middle school kids to retired senior citizens — for wrapping gifts, serving refreshments at the party, hauling gifts to Santa to give to the children and all the other essential tasks necessary to accomplish this. If I do not mention the help the Lodi Tokay Rotary Club gave by moving the gifts from our office to the Boys and Girls Club, I will be severely fined and ostracized; thanks, guys and gals. A final word of thanks to the 11-member Adopt-A-Child Board of Directors and year-long volunteers, Angie, Jesus and Dyanne, for their hard work and dedication.