Somewhere around mid-December (this year it’s on December 12th) visions of sugar plums turn into reality for 175 area underprivileged children as they are treated to a day of shopping, lunch, and a party with Santa. The magic begins with 175 children and volunteer chaperones boarding buses to be whisked away to K Mart on Broadway. Each child goes shopping for gifts of their choosing. Following the shopping spree, the children and chaperones are bused back to the Salvation Army Headquarters to enjoy lunch and a party in a festive atmosphere provided by vendors and sponsors of the Weigel’s Family Christmas. Before their special day concludes, Santa arrives to everyone’s delight. The Weigel’s Family Christmas is funded by both Weigel’s Convenience Stores and the proceeds from the annual golf outing.

I was a “worker” and photographer at this year’s event that hosted more that 140 golfers at River Island Golf Course. I’ve enclosed a few pictures herein from my day on the course. The overall event was a tremendous success – bolstered by sunshine, smiling support staff, lots of food and the contributions of many, many partners of Weigel’s. At the end of the day I was reminded that the event is all about the kids.