Dozens of kids in Chico woke up this morning to a very special gift under their Christmas tree, and it's all thanks to one Junior Higher with a big heart and a hard working family. Reporter Rick Carhart has the story in tonight's Kids In Action.
nats "Merry Christmas"
The Christmas season is also the season of giving. Fire and Police agencies, The Boys And Girls Club and other community service groups, all get help from North State residents, and from one very dedicated young man.
nats "Lily"
Justin Gonzalez.
This Junior High student from Chico has taken it upon himself to ensure other kids have a merry Christmas.
Justin says, "their expressions are great...they're so happy to see a brand new bike."
When Justin was only five years old, a trip to the grocery store where he saw the Salvation Army bell ringers made him want to help out. His dad was skeptical at first.
Raul says, "I thought a 5 year old doesn't understand the value of a dollar and how expensive things are but that first year he came through and the neighborhood came through as they always have and he made enough to buy 10 bikes, and it's grown every year."
From just a few bikes in the beginning, to 50 this year...
Justin says, "I did not think it would become this big...it's great."
The Gonzalez family's living room turns into an assembly line every December.
Justin's younger brother Aaron says, "mom and dad will do one, then me and Justin, then Grace and our older brother Taylor."
Everyone pitches in, even friends who come over to visit.
Raul says, "the whole family thinks it's cool that he steps in there and he wants to give back to the community. We appreciate that, he's got a giving heart."
From building bikes in the house, to staging them in the backyard, then onto Santa's fire truck for delivery, Justin's work is having an impact on a community in need.
Kelly says, "it really does my heart good to be able to see that with all the bad in the world that they actually have people that care enough to come out and spread Christmas joy."
And that makes the weeks of hard work worth all the effort.
Gracelyn says, "I think it's really nice of him, that's a good thing."
Raul says, "it's very rewarding. We look forward to it every year."
And you can be sure that next year, and the year after, the Gonzalez family will continue to spread Christmas cheer. In Chico, I'm Rick Carhart for Action News.
