On Dec. 14, Jacksonville Lodge hosted a children’s Christmas party for 10 local families, funded by the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. A total of 24 children and their families attended the party, along with several staff members of the Hogan Spring-Glen Elementary School, where the children attend school. Children and parents enjoyed lunch provided by the lodge and making craft ornaments to take home. There was face painting and story time, and each child picked out several new books to take home. Santa Claus visited with each child and gave them coloring books, crayons and candy canes. Gifts for the children included all new toys, books, bicycles and clothing. Sixteen volunteers shopped for and wrapped gifts, prepared lunch, and participated in the party. Parents secretly picked up their families’ gifts for the children from the side door of the lodge and placed them in their car trunks at the end of the party so their kids would be surprised Christmas morning. Betsy Bryant organized the event.
Pictured are children with Santa.