SONOMA, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2006) Infineon Raceway helped spread some holiday cheer on Saturday to more than 200 children at the 2nd annual Race to the Holidays Christmas Party. The raceway hosted 225 Sonoma Valley children and their families at this second-year holiday event, which featured caroling, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus and two of his elves. The event, which attracted 215 children during its inaugural year in 2005, culminated with Santa presenting each child with a bag full of toys. Children ranged in ages from newborns to 16-year-olds. “This party is such a great gift to the community, to be able to support these families that may not otherwise be able to give quite this much,” said Valerie Feltman, administrative assistant for the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, one of the youth groups that attended the event. “This event makes these kids and their families feel important and special during the holidays.” The festive event was held under cloudy skies and brisk conditions, but that did not dampen the spirits of the children who attended. They all left the raceway with new toys and wide smiles. Following the toy distribution, everyone was treated to a free lunch at the Infineon Raceway Café, which also featured live music, face-painters and a person crafting balloon animals. “The most special part of the day is that I got a balloon, a butterfly painted on my face and I got to meet Santa. It was also special because I came with my dad,” said Emily Rivera, an 8-year-old from Sonoma. “We are so pleased to be able to host this event, and it has fast become a tradition in the Sonoma Valley,” said John Cardinale, vice president of media/community relations at Infineon Raceway.” We are already looking for ways to make next year’s party the best ever.” All children who attended the party were pre-registered through one of the following Sonoma Valley youth groups: Hannah Boys Center; Teen Parent Program; Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club; Valley of the Moon Teen Center; Stand By Me Mentoring; Valley of the Moon Teen Center; and Willmar Center for Bereaved Children. Every child who attended also received a free tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush, courtesy of the American Red Cross and DeVincenzi & Sorstadt in Sonoma. The raceway received a generous outpouring of support from the community as nearly 400 toys were donated for the party. Some of the drop-off locations included: Bonanza Ford; Gundlach-Bundschu Winery; Schell-Vista Fire Department; Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce; Sonoma Valley Fire Department; and The Swiss Hotel.