Cloverdale Christmas at C-Bar-C Expo Center

Monday, December 21, 2015

Nick Wilson

More than 1,500 people and 600 kids were served Saturday in the form of food, gifts and Christmas spirit at the Cloverdale "C-Bar-C" Expo Center. A toy drive, dinner and family activities were in abundance as folks from all over the county came for a visit. Families who came to the center were able to chose two toys, a book, two stocking stuffers, a hat, a pair of gloves and a stuffed animal for each child. Cloverdale Fire Chief Mike Clark and Cloverdale student Mariah Huge played integral roles in the process, essentially raising it from the ground up. Huge said 2015 is officially the first year the toy drive has taken place in association with the Cloverdale Police Department.

Several stations were set up Saturday behind a blue canvas (to keep the children in suspense) so that parents could pick their presents. Once the presents were chosen, parents had the option of loading the gifts into their vehicles and return to the front of the building, furthering the suspense of the little-ones. (Nick Wilson)
Though wind-chill temperatures reached the single digits Saturday, hundreds of families and well-wishers came to support the toy drive and take part in the Cloverdale Community Christmas party at the C-Bar-C Expo Center. (Nick Wilson)
Hundreds of residents from all over Putnam County visited the C-Bar-C Expo Center in Cloverdale on Saturday to take part in various community activities. (Nick Wilson)
Hundreds of residents from all over Putnam County visited the C-Bar-C Expo Center in Cloverdale on Saturday to take part in various community activities. (Nick Wilson)

Several clubs and organizations donated their time and money to the Cloverdale Community Christmas party Saturday at the C-Bar-C Expo Center. (Nick Wilson)
Due to cold temperatures and a lengthy line, officials from several police and fire departments did what they could to assist any visitors. A van brings in seniors from a local nursing home into the center via van. (Nick Wilson)
Toys weren't the only item on visitors' wish-lists Saturday at the Cloverdale Community Christmas party. Books, as well as hats and gloves, were also available. In all, more than 600 children received Christmas presents Saturday. Cloverdale students-turn-elves Marcus Priest (left) and Gunnar Fuetter (right) were on hand to assist the children. (Nick Wilson)
A myriad of bicycles were available for children Saturday at the Cloverdale Community Christmas party, through which more than 600 children received presents ranging from books to bicycles and beyond. (Nick Wilson)
Boys and girls alike were able to receive presents from the Cloverdale Community Christmas party Saturday. (Nick Wilson)
Space at the C-Bar-C Expo Center was very well-utilized Saturday at the Cloverdale Community Christmas party. Areas for buffets, concession stands, eateries and Santa Claus can be seen here, which were adjacent to a large play-area for the kids. (Nick Wilson)
Areas for dining and activities were readily available Saturday at the Cloverdale Community Christmas party. (Nick Wilson)
Hundreds of children had ample room to play (and remain distracted) while parents visited the toy drive, cleverly concealed by an adjacent blue canvas. (Nick Wilson)