City council members hold first joint holiday drive-thru celebration

The vacation drive-thru celebration at Port San Antonio was a reminder that the pandemic hasn’t canceled the vacations.

On Saturday morning, a protracted line of autos stretched 1 / 4 of a mile from the San Antonio Museum of Science & Know-how car parking zone the place District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales and District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia waited with presents. Volunteers directed the motorists to the distribution station the place they acquired a bag of heat tamales and a bag full of a wide range of items.

Youngsters’s eyes lit up as they stared from again seats at a whole bunch of yellow and purple baggage stacked on the car parking zone.

“Ooh, have a look at your Fiesta masks,” Garcia, sporting a Child Yoda Christmas sweater, mentioned to a lady as she positioned the baggage within the again seat. “Completely happy holidays!”

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The enterprise was the primary joint Council District 4 and 5 drive-thru celebration hosted by Gonzales and Garcia. The museum of science and know-how sponsored the occasion.

Officers mentioned 500 residents registered for the drive-thru at 102 Mabry Dr., the place masks and social distancing had been required. Motorists remained of their autos through the occasion that occurred from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Containers crammed with 7,200 tamales lined two tables draped with black linen. Volunteers spent Friday stuffing baggage with PPE masks, hand sanitizer, toy airplanes, Fiesta medals and details about sources for the winter if wanted.

Gonzales mentioned usually her district places on an enormous Christmas get together with a go to from Santa Claus, mariachis and items for visitors. Final 12 months 400 individuals attended the District 5 get together. She mentioned that they had reserved an area on the St. James Neighborhood Heart however with COVID that wasn’t attainable this 12 months.

“We nonetheless wished to have fun and we might assist small enterprise by supporting them,” Gonzales mentioned. “It’s enjoyable to have a joint occasion, and I’m glad that we’re in a position to do one thing for the group.”

District 5 communications director Victor Landa mentioned with Port San Antonio skirting the 2 districts it was the logical place for the occasion.

Douglas King, president and CEO of San Antonio Museum of Science & Know-how, thanked the councilwomen for developing with the concept.

“This implies loads to individuals having a tough time determining tips on how to have fun,” King mentioned. “And realizing that someone is out right here who cares about them too.”

Mayor Ron Nirenberg, sporting an orange and white Whataburger sweater, joined in handy out baggage. Some drivers yelled out, “Thanks Mayor Ron!” Others snapped images and a few complimented his festive garb.

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Sandra Flores, 41, drove up in her truck accompanied by her three youngsters, Keyla, 20, Jailene, 15, and Gael, 10. Flores waved by way of her opened window and thanked the Mayor and the councilwomen for the presents.

“It’s a very good factor within the pandemic,” she mentioned, “and a pleasant reward for the household.”

Garcia mentioned this time of 12 months is a vital time to remind those who the vacation spirit is upon town and everybody can nonetheless have fun safely.

“Councilwoman Gonzales and I share the border of District 4 and 5,” she mentioned. “We all know that our residents in Districts 4 and 5 have been hit very exhausting by COVID with not solely the best variety of instances and, sadly, deaths. We wished to staff up and say we’re happy with the work accomplished to cut back the numbers, and we ask you to proceed to be protected. And we simply wished to offer again somewhat little bit of vacation cheer.”