On Nov. 16, first responders and local Happy Valley principals took to the grocery store aisles to put together the best Thanksgiving meals while benefitting two north Clackamas programs. During a five-minute shopping spree hosted by the City of Happy Valley and sponsored by the Happy Valley Fred Meyer, participants from North Clackamas School District, Happy Valley Police and Clackamas Fire had the opportunity to raise money for two organizations dedicating to serving those in need, Operation Santa and the Wichita Center.
It was a fast and wild race, with screeching shopping cart wheels and a couple glass jar casualties, during the quick sprint. The contents of the carts were later auctioned off through a 24-hour Facebook campaign, and after a last-minute bidding war, the contents of both carts were sold for a total of $3,000.
City Councilor David Golobay and his family provided the winning bid of $1,000 for the Happy Valley Principals' cart. Their donation will go to the Wichita Center, which supports children in need throughout the North Clackamas School District. New resident Diana Helm offered the winning bid of $2,000 for the cart put together by the first responders. Her donation will go directly to Operation Santa, Clackamas Fire's holiday food and toy drive which supports families in need in Clackamas County.
In true holiday spirit, Fred Meyer volunteered to donate all food items so every dollar that was brought in through the auction will go directly to the Wichita Center and Operation Santa. In addition, the Golobay family donated their food to the Wichita Center to make special holiday baskets.
The donation check and food will be delivered to the Wichita Center (6031 SE King Rd, Milwaukie) Nov. 21 at 3:00 p.m., just in time for the upcoming holiday meal. Operation Santa will receive the proceeds from the sale of the First Responder cart on Nov. 22, timing it perfectly with the kick-off of the 2018 Operation Santa season.