Annual benefit brings holiday joy to area children

By Ms. Martha Yoshida (Leonard Wood)December 13, 2012

Annual benefit brings holiday joy to area children
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Andrew Moon plays the French horn for the 399th Army Band's Brass Quintet during the 32nd annual St. Nick's Benefit Dec. 11 at Fort Leonard Wood's 43rd Adjutant General Battalion. The 43rd AG, which normally serves as the reception area for inco... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Annual benefit brings holiday joy to area children
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Waynesville High School's Junior ROTC Choir, directed by Master Sgt. Walter Reese, sings traditional favorites including "Carol of the Bells," "Jingle Bell Rock," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," during the St. Nick's Benefit held Dec. 11 at Fort... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Annual benefit brings holiday joy to area children
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Carolers from Fort Leonard Wood's Child Development Center Strong Beginnings Pre-kindergarten program, lead by Paula Maggard, Pamele Jones and Debbie Aragon, sing "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer," "Jingle Bells," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Annual benefit brings holiday joy to area children
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Wendy Williams, Fort Leonard Wood Lions Club president, thanked the community for their support in making the 32nd Annual St. Nick's Benefit possible; and recognized Casey and Jocelyn Morris for being there every day leading up to this year's benefit... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Annual benefit brings holiday joy to area children
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Annual benefit brings holiday joy to area children
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. William Pfeffer, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood's garrison commander, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the 32nd Annual St. Nick's Benefit Dec. 11 at Grant Hall. More than 1,200 presents were donated for this y... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Annual benefit brings holiday joy to area children
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A child from Fort Leonard Wood's Child Development Center Strong Beginnings Pre-kindergarten program gets to meet St. Nick himself during the annual St. Nick's Benefit held Dec. 11 at Grant Hall. The benefit originally started in 1980 with 30 gifts d... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - The Fort Leonard Wood Lions Club, Army Community Service and numerous community groups surrounding the installation hosted this year's 32nd annual St. Nick's Benefit Dec. 11 in Grant Hall at the 43rd Adjutant General Battalion.

The purpose of this cooperative effort is to provide some holiday joy to children in the area who may otherwise go without a Christmas present.

More than 1,200 gifts were collected on behalf of area children of Army Community Service, Head Start of Pulaski County, B.W. Robinson State School, Pulaski County Foster Care Program, Piney Ridge Center, Boys & Girls Town of St. James, and Choices for People center.

Col. William Pfeffer, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood's garrison commander, said this year's ceremony represented gift giving at an unbelievable level.

Wendy Williams, Fort Leonard Wood Lions Club president, thanked the community for their support in making the event possible; and recognized Casey and Jocelyn Morris for being there every day leading up to this year's benefit.

The event included musical performances by the 399th Army Band Brass Quintet; the Waynesville High School Junior ROTC Choir under the direction of Master Sgt. Walter Reese; and carolers from Fort Leonard Wood's Child Development Center Strong Beginnings Pre-kindergarten program, lead by Paula Maggard, Pamele Jones and Debbie Aragon.

The St. Nick's benefit was established 32 years ago, in 1980, by the installation's staff judge advocate and his wife. At that time, 30 children received presents. The Fort Leonard Wood Lions Club began sponsoring the event 12 years ago. Today, more than 1,200 presents will be distributed to children because of the support of 97 contributing donor organizations and countless individuals who participate in the annual St. Nick's Benefit.

-30-