Alex Castorena received a Christmas present Saturday that would make all the kids in his first-grade class jealous.
He climbed into a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office squad car, flashed the lights and flipped on the siren.
Saying his name over the car’s loud speaker would have been enough for Alex. But he’s also getting a new pair of glasses, courtesy of animal control officer Camille Paczosa.
Five years ago, Paczosa first sponsored a young boy through KYGO’s Christmas Crusade for Children. The program is a cooperation between the radio station and more than 35 metro area law enforcement agencies to raise toys for underprivileged kids.
Three years later she was sponsoring 80 kids, and this year that number is more than 170, including Alex.
“I raised my kids as a single parent, and so many years (money) was so tight it was scary,” said Paczosa, whose basement begins to fill with toys as early as June. “I had a family that helped me, but I can’t imagine the challenges these families have. And I just love the kids.”
Through the grapevine, Paczosa learned Alex’s eyesight is rapidly deteriorating. Alex’s mother, who’s also single, couldn’t afford new glasses, so Paczosa contacted KYGO.
One sympathetic listener later, Alex found himself riding “shotgun” to Brighton from his home in Arvada.
Alex curiously poked and anxiously prodded all the knobs, buttons and switches in deputy Jim Shires’ cruiser all the way to Breyeghton Sun Optical.
Nina Thomas, whose mother owns the optical store, heard about Alex on KYCO and said she felt compelled to help.
“Glasses are pretty important to me,” said Thomas, 22, who paid for Alex’s frames. “I’m blind without mine.”
Saddling up in an antique optometrist chair with a mirror in hand, Alex modeled a few stylish eyeglass frames.
He defiantly shook his head no when he tried on a round pair that made him look like Harry Potter. He didn’t like brown frames either.
Alex had his heart set on a blue frame and he enthusiastically nodded and smiled with approval. He’ll be able to pick them up next week.
Cruising home with Shires at the wheel, Alex couldn’t stop smiling. Elly Garcia, his older sister, sat in the backseat and said without glasses, Alex just doesn’t go out and play.
Shortly later, Alex spoke two of the few words he could shyly muster all day.
“Thank you,” he respectfully said before trying to flash the lights again.
To donate to the 2005 KYGO Christmas Crusade for Children call 303-322-KIDS.
Staff writer Michael McCollum can be reached at 303-820-1201 or mmccollum@denverpost.com.
