Caltrans Workers Don Santa Caps

Caltrans maintenance workers replaced their jackhammers with jack-in-the-boxes this week, delivering holiday gifts to 10 Valley families.

The workers, donning red elf caps instead of hard hats, played the role of Santa Claus for 10 families by showering them with toys, clothing and food baskets.

It was all part of the fifth annual Caltrans holiday event in which the workers raise money all year through various activities, such as golf tournaments, to pay for the gifts.

For the second consecutive year, the Salvation Army worked with Caltrans in selecting 10 needy families who would benefit from the holiday spirit.

Five Caltrans regions in Los Angeles and Ventura counties are responsible for providing gifts for two families each. This includes buying and wrapping the gifts and preparing food baskets with turkey or ham and canned goods.

This week, the workers--with one dressed as St. Nick--delivered the gifts in a two-ton, orange Caltrans pickup to the families’ homes, enabling the workers to see the children’s smiles first-hand.

“It means a lot to us to be able to do this,� said Margie Tiritilli, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

Tiritilli said Caltrans likes working with the Salvation Army because employees get to meet the families they help.

“It just makes it an even better experience,� she said.