DENVER — Students who have arrived in Denver from Venezuela received a big Christmas surprise welcoming them into their new community – all because local businesses delivered holiday cheer.
Grammie’s Goodies, Leprino Foods, Paisano Realty, Inc., and other businesses donated toys and money to the students at Bryant Webster Dual Language School. The kids were surprised to see gifts on their Christmas list show up to their school.
Grammie's Goodies said the Wheat Ridge Italian restaurant transforms this time of year. “At Christmas time, the whole inside is cookies and treats,” said Vickie Corder. The restaurant is named after the original "Grammie."
"Grammie was my grandmother, she taught me how to cook," said Corder. With grandkids of her own now, she is honored to share that same endearing name. “I am Grammie,” Corder said. She's been serving the neighborhood her sweet treats since 2015. “All of this is her recipes, as a tribute to her,” she said about her grandmother.
But the gifts the restaurant donated this year, were the sweetest yet. “Oh my goodness, yes,” Corder said.
She took a call from the Denver dual language school, that has enrolled many migrant children. “Which just happened to be Grammie's grade school a long, long, long time ago,” Corder said.
The school had an idea for her. “She said there were some new-comers who needed Christmas and we just jumped at the chance,” Corder said.
Karolay and Karianlys Puerta-Perdomo are twins who were included in the school's Christmas surprise. The two girls agreed it was entertaining, surprising and fun when they opened their make-up, clothes and shoes.
“It was two truckloads full of toys we wrapped,” Corder said. “Oh, probably 150 presents. We divided them so they had lots to open.”
Esteban Rincon-Montoya was excited to see the gifts sitting in the corner. He unwrapped the skateboard he's been wanting since he arrived to the U.S.
These students arrived from Venezuela just a few months ago. “We made sure each child had a warm coat a pair of boots and then fun stuff, just fun things to open and feel welcome to our community,” Corder said.. “They’re probably far away from their grammie, but they got a grammie here."
The restaurants and businesses also made big donations to help the kids celebrate the holiday. Leprino Foods helped adopt about 70 kids and Paisano Realty, Inc. donated money to help buy toys.
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