Some might say it’s proof positive that a little kindness can go a long way and they’d have no argument from Kim Bacigalupi.
The Oakdale native and lead server at H-B Saloon/Bachi’s Dining is happy to once again bring back the popular ‘Stocking Fundraiser.’ Now in its 25th year, the local business offers community members and patrons an opportunity to deliver a decorated stocking to the bar for the small fee of $10. All proceeds from the fundraiser are donated to the Oakdale Lions Club for the Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour.
According to Bacigalupi, the idea for the fundraiser was first inspired in 2009 when she was hanging Christmas stockings for the employees around the bar.
“There was a bunch of us,” she said of friends and customers watching her and sharing they too wanted to hang a stocking at H-B.
“Doc Dorius said, you could do that and charge like $10 and give it to the Lions Club for the shopping event,” she continued. “We thought, $10? Most people come into the bar and that’s not that much money.”
The following year, 2010, the plan was put into action, however with a bit of a twist.
“Doc Dorius died in 2010,” she said of the passing of Lowell Clyde “Doc” Dorius early that year. “So that first year we did it in memory of him.”
An honor which resulted in over $2,000, sponsoring close to 20 children the first year.
“There was a bunch of us that made them for people,” she said of the launch of the stocking fundraiser. “If people didn’t make them for themselves.”
Patrons are welcome to bring in their own stocking and have it hung for the $10 fee or they are welcome to decorate a standard stocking provided by Kim either at the bar or take it home and bring it back, also for $10.
At the end of each Christmas season, Bacigalupi faithfully takes down the stockings and packs them away for the following year. Each year families and individuals are welcome to have their stockings rehung for the same $10 donation.
“The hardest part is finding them,” she said of the two large bins of stockings she stores each year. “Not everyone does it every year. Some people did it the first year and never did it again. You just never know who’s going to come in each year. We have a group of people that do it every year.”
Bacigalupi estimates they have a couple hundred stockings of past and present patrons. While the premise is simple, the collection of $10 a stocking each year does have a positive effect.
“We usually sponsor between eight to 12 kids,” she said.
And as for the ‘why,’ she continues the stocking fundraiser each year, her response came with no hesitation.
“To help the kids,” she said of the goal of H-B and the stocking program supporters, “and it’s cheap. It’s $10.”
Community members and patrons interested in sponsoring a stocking can stop into H-B, at 401 E. F St., Oakdale during business hours or call 209-847-2985 with inquiries.
“Some people get really into it and decorate a bunch of stuff. Some people just put their name,” Bacigalupi said of stocking decorators. “If they want their kids to make it at home and bring it in, they can do that.”
