Cruising Branford this holiday season, the Christmas Caddy continues a tradition of giving established by the three local families, in tribute to one of Branford’s most giving citizens—Bruce Pantani.

Prior to his death due to cancer in 2008, Pantani created a legacy of 40 years of giving in town with his wife, Johanne, including contributing donations of gifts to children assisted through Branford Counseling Center (BCC). In his honor, the Christmas Caddy—Pantani’s 1965 cherry red Cadillac DeVille—comes out come holiday time, convertible top down, for residents to help fill with toy and gift donations that will be delivered to BCC for distribution.

This is the fifth year the Christmas Caddy will cruise Branford, supported by the Pantani, Angelo, and Fowler families. This year’s effort is being spearheaded by one of Pantani’s granddaughters, Jessie Pantani, as her Branford High School senior project. She describes her grandfather as “the person that instilled the values of giving in his family.

“When he could barely afford to give to his own family, he gave to the less fortunate, especially during Christmas,” said Pantani. “With the help of my family, we are going to carry on his legacy of giving. We believe everyone has the ability to make a child’s Christmas better, and the Christmas Caddy is the first step.”

This year, the Christmas Caddy will be collecting donations at Branford Walmart on Friday to Sunday, Nov. 27, 28, and 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Christmas Caddy also stops in front of Branford Town Hall on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations of new, unwrapped toys, gift cards, and cash (used to purchase gifts) will be collected at the Christmas Caddy and delivered to BCC for holiday distribution to children and teens of Branford families in need.