SAN MIGUEL, Calif. - Christmas cheer was brought to needy families in a poverty stricken part of San Miguel in the form of toys and clothing. But it almost didn't happen.
The Children's Resource Network of the Central Coast quickly planned this Christmas drive to give away donations to children in San Miguel. Some unforeseen trouble almost fouled things up completely, threatening to leave young girls and boys with no Christmas.
The Children's Resource Network had all the goodies stuffed in their trailor, enough for 400 children. But according to CEO and President Lisa Ray, the truck that her non-profit used for towing the trailor broke down Friday afternoon.
"I was stressed out of course," says Ray. "We had this outreach for these children. It was very important."
Ray says the event was in serious jeopardy because there was no way to tow the trailor.
"The car part that we needed for it wasn't going to be here until after the 1st of January, so I didn't have a truck for this weekend," she says.
Without a truck to haul her trailor all the way to San Miguel, Ray made a call to PG&E and they were able to save the day by letting Lisa use one of their trucks.
PG&E spokesman John Shoals says Ray made the call Saturday. Even with the short notice, PG&E was able to help.
"It was a call to duty," says Shoals. "We're glad we could help out."
Ray says, "to tell you the truth it made me cry because I was thrilled. I was so happy for these kids that they weren't going to be let down and weren't going to wonder why Santa forgot them."
But Santa didn't forget them at all, his sleigh arriving in San Miguel pulled by a different kind of reindeer.
"It's a Christmas story of the community coming together for the benefit of those in need," says Ray.
