GONZALES — A nearly 100-year-old tradition continued at La Gloria Elementary School in Gonzales as students received candy bags before the holiday break, along with a visit from Santa Claus.
In 1929, the newly established Gonzales Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) began distributing a bag of fruit and candy to each elementary school child. That tradition continued until 2016, when the GVFD slowly dissolved, and by 2017 the candy bag giveaway was in serious jeopardy.
Retired GVFD Assistant Chief Daniel Gutierrez decided to step up and ensure this tradition would not die. Gutierrez and his family worked directly with La Gloria staff and continued the tradition.
Aside from the Covid year of 2020, the Gutierrez and Jimenez families and close friends have ensured the tradition continues, delivering candy to each K-5 student at La Gloria.
“We’ve taken care of it ever since with help from the current fire department,” Gutierrez said. “It’s my family along with the Jimenez family (Ramon and Irene both work for the school). It’s a tradition that has provided candy to about 60,000 kids over the years. We plan to keep it going as long as we can. It is a great experience.”
Before this year’s candy giveaway on Dec. 18, Santa Claus rode a Gonzales fire truck and was escorted onto the school grounds by the Bulldog mascot and a pair of elves.
The children greeted the group with happy screams and then waited for their turn to take a group photo with Santa by grade level at the cafeteria.
