Santa Clause and his elves gave out more than 2,700 toys to children on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the St. Charles Parish Toy and Gift Event at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center in Luling.
Nearly 1,400 St. Charles Parish children attended the event, where they roamed the aisles of toys and selected two items to take home. Children also sent letters to Santa, and met the Grinch, Cinderella, Belle and Batman.
Francesca Blanchard, a spokesperson for the parish, said the kids enjoyed seeing and interacting with the characters while waiting for Santa.
“Seeing the joy and excitement on the children’s faces is always a special part of this event,” she said.
The annual Toy and Gift event is coordinated by the parish’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. Valero prepares food and refreshments for families attending the event. Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund, Toys for Tots, Bunge and the Rotary Club of St. Charles Parish supply the toys, according to Francesca Blanchard, a spokesperson for the parish.
United Way of St. Charles gives the Toy and Gift Event a yearly grant to buy additional items needed, such as presents for older children, cookies, drinks, coloring books and crayons, Blanchard said.
The St. Charles Parish and Gift Event dates to the 1970s, originally beginning with a simple list supplied from local area churches of children in need. With the help of local volunteers, the event eventually grew in scope and size.
