The story below was posted on inMaricopa.com on December 12.
Hundreds of residents, 20 tons of snow, more than 20 local business and food vendors filled the main park in the Tortosa community during its annual Winterfest Saturday. Performances and activities included dancers from the Hula Dance Studio, an interactive DJ, “reindeer” rides; an interactive ice sculpture demonstration; a Christmas Tree Lane raffle fundraiser; and Santa arriving on his motorcycle. About 30 “helper elves,” consisting of Maricopa High School ROTC cadets and Tortosa residents, assisted, said Ellen Buddington, the community’s lifestyle director.
All proceeds went to the F.O.R. Maricopa food bank. Maricopa Santa Claus (aka Greg Morrow) and CCMC at Tortosa HOA collected monetary, toy and nonperishable food donations, raising a total of 210 ½ pounds of food, two large bags of toys and $1,285.50 in cash, including a $1,000 donation on behalf of the Murphy family, Buddington said.
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