A group of local business owners — the self-styled “Philanthropreneurs” — have banded together this holiday season to help make a difference for three local families.
Impact Prints, House of Random, Mahogany Landscape Solutions, Visual Marketing Productions, Tres Jefez food truck, and realtor Sergio Garcia, have been busy gathering donations — cash as well as gift cards for various goods and services — that will allow the disadvantaged families to have a merry Christmas this year.
Each local entrepreneur had their own particular reason for joining what they’re calling the Surprise Santa Project 2024. But, giving back to Turlock was the central theme behind those reasons.
“We just wanted to do a community-building project,” said Impact Prints owner Suhrob Khojaev, a native of Tajikistan who takes mercy on non-Tajik speakers and goes by Rob Kho. He owns Impact Prints, a commercial printing company that handles signage, apparel and promotional items. “The main goal is to bring unity to the community of Turlock. And spiritually, it’s a good thing for us to do during the holidays. We’re planning to do this bigger and bigger each season.”
Thirty-year-old Edward Gallegos, the owner of Mahogany Landscape Solutions, is one of 17 children. His oldest brother, Rick, is 52, and his youngest sibling, Kristian, is 28. With a family that size, stretching every dollar is crucial. And Gallegos knows what it’s like to go without.
“Absolutely, I’ve experienced that in my life,” said Gallegos, who’s lived in Turlock for nearly two decades. “I feel like I’m in a position now to help a family in need during the holiday season. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, especially for kids. As the father of two little girls, kids hold a special place in my heart.”
Brolin Babela, owner of House of Random ice cream parlor at 80 S. First St., is an Iranian born Assyrian who, along with wife Berooni, started his business a little more than five years ago.
“As Christians, we try to incorporate that as much into our business as we can, and we try to give to the community as much as possible,” said Babela. “When I talked to Rob, we could tell this was right in our ballpark, and one thing led to another. We’re definitely hoping to grow this into something bigger. We’re hoping to have multiple events throughout the year, not just at Christmas. We’re already brainstorming ideas for back-to-school.”
Luke Appleby, the 20-year-old owner of VMP, said his family always taught him to give back whenever possible.
“I’m blessed enough to live comfortably,” said Appleby, who was raised in Turlock. “I was presented with this opportunity when they asked me to handle the social media for the project. I wanted to do more than just handle the social media and that’s when I came on board. This community is where I want to give back.”
Daniel Galvan Zuniga, who was born and raised in Turlock, struggled with addiction to opiates after being shot in the leg 12 years ago during an altercation at a local eatery.
“I’m five years clean and sober, and I’m gaining back what I lost. I know what it feels like to have nothing, and being able to give back is a blessing,” said Galvan Zuniga, who owns and operates Tres Jefez food truck at 1148 N. Golden State Blvd. “Rob is a friend who creates our menus and our T-shirts for us, and that’s how I met him. He reached out, and I’m all for giving back to the community.”
Sergio Garcia, who also grow up in Turlock, is an agent with EXIT Realty Consultants. He met Kho in 2018 and they began working on various fundraising projects together.
“Turlock is a great community, but not such a big town like Modesto or Stockton; everybody knows everybody,” said Garcia. “When we get other people or other businesses involved, they’re always willing to help. It’s a pretty good feeling.”
Other Surprise Santa Project sponsors include Turlock Sports Park, Deli Delicious, David’s food truck, Purity Cleaning, Leon’s Tree Service, Eunoia Builders, and Better Chem of Hughson.
