Gilroy
– Sabrina Ferretti is planning an unusual – and charitable –
Saturday, for an 11-year-old.
She plans to deliver food to as many as 500 people in three
local family shelters, and she’ll do it all from the passenger seat
of Oscar Mayer’s Wienermobile.
Gilroy – Sabrina Ferretti is planning an unusual – and charitable – Saturday, for an 11-year-old.
She plans to deliver food to as many as 500 people in three local family shelters, and she’ll do it all from the passenger seat of Oscar Mayer’s Wienermobile.
The Antonio Del Buono Elementary School student is one of 50 winners in a nationwide contest who get to use the Wienermobile to fulfill their wish.
This summer, Ferretti entered the contest through a magazine advertisement, describing her wish in 50 words.
“I said I’d go to a homeless shelter and give them sandwiches,” she said.
Her answer was natural, says her aunt and guardian Paula Paradiso. The two were watching a segment of Ellen Degeneres’ talk show that featured acts of kindness, and Ferretti’s heart went out to kids with no place to live.
“We talk about that, and kids that are less fortunate,” Paradiso said. “She’s pretty sensitive and generous.”
Oscar Mayer pledged $5,000 to help fulfill Ferretti’s wish, and will provide food, Wienerwhistles and stickers, along with a unique ride.
“They wanted it to be as much her responsibility and her participation as possible,” Paradiso said.
Ferretti had wanted to make bologna sandwiches for the shelter residents herself, but that proved a challenge, so the company is bringing along 500 Lunchables, with meat, cheese, crackers, a drink, and a snack.
The rest of the money will be used to buy much-needed items to donate to each of the shelters, most likely hygiene products or food.
“I want to actually buy the stuff,” Ferretti said.
The Wienermobile, and two “Hotdoggers” who drive it, will pick up Ferretti at her home in northwest Gilroy Saturday morning. Their first stop will be the John H. Boccardo Family Living Center in San Martin, where Ferretti looks forward to meeting some of the 25 children who are staying there. Ferretti gets to bring three people with her, but she’s still trying to decide who that will be. Next stop will be San Jose Family Shelter and, finally, the Sobrato Family Living Center in Santa Clara.
So, what will Ferretti get out of the wish?
“The goodness of knowing that they will get food,” she said.
