The Dolores Rotary Club and students from Dolores School District RE-4A delivered their first set of Christmas food baskets to local families.

The program was the brainchild of firefighter Jerry Whited, who approached the Dolores Rotary Club with the idea of giving “some Christmas joy to town and to show Dolores students what it means to volunteer their time during the holidays,” Susan Lisak of the Rotary Club said Sunday in a news release.

“I think it’s important that we come together as a community to show our youth that we can put differences aside and work together on a project that makes a difference and gives them pride to be a part of something greater than themselves,” said Whited, a Ute Mountain Ute Tribe firefighter and Dolores resident. “With my son’s tragic accident last year, my family was shown what it’s like to be supported by our community, and I wanted to find ways to give back.”

The Rotary Club received more than $1,000 in food donations from Walmart, Safeway, City Market and the Dolores Food Market, Lisak said, adding that the Ponderosa Restaurant helped with storage.

Christmas basket recipients received a ham, stuffing, potatoes, corn, cookies, snacks, and the fixings to make a green bean casserole.

Names were submitted by residents, and on Dec. 22, Whited coordinated with the Dolores high school football team to assemble and deliver each basket to the families with a Christmas card signed by all the volunteers.

“This was such an important and successful collaboration of local businesses, community members and students, and we appreciate the time, energy and donations given to this project,” Lisak said. “We hope to continue this service well into the future.”

The Dolores Rotary Club focuses and promotes youth leadership and community support.” The Club meets Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. in the back room of the Ponderosa Restaurant. For information, email doloresrotary3256@gmail.com.