Jon is a consumer of Valley CAPS.

He’s in the People Learning under Support or PLUS. This CAPS program offers a one instructor per eight consumers while promoting mobility and community activities.

Included is the regular luncheons held at the St. Anthony Parish gymnasium and hosted by Sister Ann Venita Britto and her Ministry of Caring.

Sister Ann had plenty of helping hands Friday for the “End of the Year” luncheon for consumers of the CAPS’ PLUS and ABLE – Adult Behavior Learning Environment based in Manteca and features one instructor for every three consumer – including seventh-grade students from St. Anthony School and Ministry of Caring members Sheila Robello, Darlene Auch and Bill and Alice Corriea.

Special guests were Sister Ann’s brother Alan Britto and his wife, Carol. They were here visiting from Toronto.

“This is our vacation,” said Alan Britto, who will return to Canada on June 11.

As for Jon, he was among the 35 at the luncheon that featured a raffle and dancing.

Jon waited patiently for his ticket number to be called after enjoying his hotdog meal. The wait appeared worth it. He picked out a baseball cap from the prize table and wore it proudly while dancing, which capped off the event.

Sister Ann and her Ministry of Caring host luncheons to mark special occasions – Christmas, Easter, and Valentine’s Day, for example – for seniors regardless of their religious affiliations.

At four times a year, they do likewise for the Valley CAPS programs.