Even though the weather outside was frightful, jolly 'ol St. Nick didn't let the snow stop the 33rd Annual St. Nick's Benefit, from delivering toys this year.
"(The St. Nick's Benefit program) helps those who need a little bit of help around the holiday. For instance, we have one young man with eight kids and he's a single parent. He would need a little help," said Casey Morris, St. Nick's Benefit chairman.
The yearly children's performance, scheduled for Tuesday, had to be canceled due to dangerous driving conditions, but the passing out of the presents, sponsored by the Fort Leonard Wood Lions Club, in conjunction with Army Community Service, was still a success.
The St. Nick's Christmas Benefit program is designed to help brighten the holiday season for under-privileged members of the military community, Head Start of Pulaski County, B. W. Robinson State School in Rolla, Boys and Girls Town of St. James, Children's Division Foster Care Program of Pulaski County, Piney Ridge Center, Inc. and Choices for People of Rolla.
This year, the event provided Christmas gifts to more than 800 children and special-needs adults.
Morris said his favorite part of the event is watching some of the children receive their gifts.
"I have been to a couple of the units' Christmas parties. I love it -- the look on the little one's faces -- that's awesome," he said.
According to Morris this year 160 sponsors helped supply the gifts.
"We need the sponsors. They help quite a bit," Morris said.
For more information, contact Morris at 573.765.5423.
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