Santa makes his rounds at Greencastle

Sunday, December 19, 2010
Ashton Hamilton prepares to have his face painted while family friend Daniel Bruce holds onto him at the Lunch with Santa Claus Event Saturday

GREENCASTLE -- The last Saturday before Christmas brings with it a few traditions; last minute shopping, an overabundance of green and red and sightings of the famed jolly old elf all around town.

The elf made an appearance at the Lunch with Santa Claus event at the Greencastle National Guard Armory. In a packed house, kids were winding around the inside of the building for a chance to talk with the man in red.

Brandon and Nathan Barger were two of the kids who presented their wish lists to Santa Claus.

Brandon and Nathan Barger tell Santa Claus what they'd like for Christmas. Brandon was asking for a four-wheeler and a toy combine and Nathan wanted a dirt bike and a dirt bike book. They were at the Greencastle Armory for Lunch With Santa.

"They pretty much want everything that's on TV," Belinda Barger said.

Brandon Barger said he wanted a four-wheeler and a toy combine. He wasn't sure which one he'd be more likely to get.

"I don't know, but I'll say the combine," he said.

His brother Nathan Barger was more focused, asking for both a dirt bike and a dirt bike book.

Logan Peters has a snowman painted on his cheek by Jessica York, a volunteer from the South Putnam Student Council at the Lunch with Santa Claus Event Saturday.

Lunch with Santa Claus had more for attendees than just a chance to talk with the big red man. Volunteers from the South Putnam High School student council were on hand to paint faces.

Logan Peters had a snowman painted on his cheek by Jessica York, one of the South Putnam volunteers. Peters said that he wanted a Stinky the Garbage Truck for Christmas, while his younger brother Anthony Peters said that he wanted a Thomas the Tank Engine and Buzz.

Another standout was the half-elf/half-pirate with a hook hand. He stood well over six feet tall, handing out free Long John Silver lunches.

There were also gifts for sale that could be wrapped for free. The Greencastle Fire Department distributed fire safety booklets, and pizza, cookies and beverages were available for the children.

Barbara Hill, one of the event organizers, said that she was pleased with the turnout.

People prepare to enter the Lunch with Santa Claus event. The event offered face painting and a chance to give Santa Claus your Christmas wish list.

"I was surprised we had this many with the economy the way it is," Hill said. "Or maybe that's why we had so many."

A Greencastle Police officer later estimated the crowd at around 350.

Hill said that about half of the attendees were giving to Johnson Nichols Health Clinic as they entered.

Crystal Hamilton's son Ashton, wearing a small Santa suit, also had some face painting done.

Hamilton said that her family had a rough time of late, making the Lunch with Santa more meaningful for her.

"This is really nice," she said.

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  • I ATTENDED LUNCH WITH SANTA AND WAS VERY SUPRISED AT THE TURN OUT, WOW!! MY ONLY PROBLEM WAS THE RAFFLE...THERE WERE SEVERAL ITEMS THAT WERE BEING RAFFLED OFF. THE WOMAN DRAWING THE NAMES WOULD DRAW SEVERAL BEFORE SHE CALLED OUT THE WINNING NAME. AS IF SHE WERE ''LOOKING FOR CERTAIN NAMES IN PATICULAR'' I WAS SHOCKED! IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS! I AM SURE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO NOTICE. I ALSO WITNESSED WOMAN COUNTING AND SEPARATING MONEY FROM THE RAFFLE. THE ADD SAID ALL PROCEEDS WERE TO GO TO JOHNSON NICHOLS HEALTH CLINIC....I WONDER. ANYONE ELSE NOTICE?

    -- Posted by sumdayme2 on Mon, Dec 20, 2010, at 9:31 AM
  • That is sad if that happen! I know one of the ladies who helps makes this event possible. Tammy Folck,I know for a fact she is a honest person!I also know she puts her whole heart and soul in this event for the kids!She does this out of the kindness of her heart!She puts alot of hard work into this.I know she goes though a lot when putting this together!I asked her why she keeps putting this event on,when she gets walked on so much. All she says it is worth every min.of the work,when you see the look on the kids faces!

    -- Posted by Heaven911 on Mon, Dec 20, 2010, at 4:38 PM
  • Thank You! Heaven911. I want to thank all the people who help make this event happen! All business who donated.( There are to many to name.)The South Putnam students who came and helped the nite before and the day of! They really were a great bunch!It made me proud to say I went to South Putnam!A Big Thanks To the families that came and bought their kids out to the event!I hope You all have a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

    -- Posted by mamawfolck on Mon, Dec 20, 2010, at 5:18 PM
  • Oh yes! I almost forgot I want to thnk the Greencastle Fire Department for still coming after all the confussion!The GFD and GPD were a big hit wit the kids! Thanks for dontating your Saturday to the kids!

    -- Posted by mamawfolck on Mon, Dec 20, 2010, at 5:21 PM
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