Reagan Brazeal, a student from Mrs. Smith's preschool class, receives a toy doctor kit from Santa during his visit to Williams Early Childhood Center on Fort Leonard Wood, Tuesday. Soldiers and civilians from General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospi...

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- Santa Claus surprised students at Williams Early Childhood Center on Fort Leonard Wood Tuesday, Dec. 19, to check his list and hand out gifts to all the children.

"When I was checking my list a second time to see who was naughty and nice this year, Rudolph noticed there weren't any naughty students at Williams Early Childhood Center," Claus said. "I figured I'd have a look for myself. Sure enough--there isn't a single naughty student here at Williams Early Childhood Center!"

A group of Soldiers and civilians from General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital accompanied Santa to Williams Early Childhood Center to help hand out gifts to 260 students.

The group was led by Capt. Christopher Moe, GLWACH Medical Company commander; 1st Sgt. John Allen, GLWACH first sergeant; Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Natalroman, GLWACH Patient Administration Division noncommissioned officer in charge; and Santa himself.

Santa and the team landed at Williams Early Childhood Center at 8:30 a.m. for mission prep.

Dressed in festive attire, Christmas tree hats and fuzzy antlers, the team prepped Santa by combing his beard and tidying up his suit after the long journey to the center.

Santa practiced his signature belly laugh, energizing the smiles of his helpers.

When the clock struck 9 a.m. the group had the gym set up with a Santa chair, a tree, a box full of gifts, and a bucket of candy canes.

"Ho, ho, ho," belted Santa as the first group of students entered the gym. "Merry Christmas!"

One-by-one, Santa gave the little girls and boys candy canes as he met with each one and asked them what they wanted for Christmas.

One of Santa's helpers, Ben Pearson, a GLWACH human resources secretary, was in charge of handing Santa a gift to give to each child.

"We're here to bring joy to little kids and to show them that giving is good. Giving is something we all should do for one another and push the Christmas spirit," Pearson said.

Another of Santa's helpers, Sgt. Jonathan Hough, GLWACH respiratory therapist, was making up for lost time.

"I'm enjoying this. This is something that I wanted to do," Hough said. "I have three boys of my own and this was something that I didn't really get a chance to do when they were growing up so I'm actually really enjoying this."

Other Santa helpers felt the same.

"What better time of year to spread cheer," remarked fuzzy-antler-wearing Spc. John Ratliff, GLWACH health care specialist.

"Best time of the year. It's all about giving and getting together and sharing and Santa Clause," said Sgt. Anthony Martinez, GLWACH supply NCO.

Amy Fisher, GLWACH's library technician, summed-up the mission.

"This is important for the kids. This is the time of year where we want them to believe in Santa and God and all of it," Fisher said. "We're just trying to share the spirit."

Santa spent all day at Williams in order to ensure each student received a gift. The children ranged in age from 3-5 years old.

"I'm going to have to get authorization from Mrs. Claus to start paying the elves overtime next year if this keeps up," Clause said.

Jenna Hillman, Registered Nurse at Williams Early Childhood center, and Sgt. 1st Class Felicia Keith, GLWACH's Partners in Education lead NCO and GLWACH's Education Division NCOIC, coordinated the event.

Keith got word to Santa's Christmas gift production team in early October that they would need additional resources to meet the demand on Fort Leonard Wood due to the increased numbers of preschoolers.

"We've got your back, Santa." Keith said.

(Editor's note: John Brooks is the marketing specialist at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital)