• Saturday-What'sUP December 15 - 09:04 pm

This past Wednesday evening, the Lakes Lounge (American Legion Post #90) in Lake Linden, hosted a new toy collection for the annual Knights of Columbus toy distribution to families in need of some help to make Christmas morning merry and bright. They had food and other specials, for those that brought a new, unwrapped toy for the event and the youngsters that came were treated to a Beanie Baby toy from Santa, along with a session to tell him all they're wishing for this year.

The two good looking young men with Santa in today's photos are none other than my grandsons, of course. My son and I brought them there to put some games under the tree and to visit with Santa.
The younger one in the first photo was so worried about Santa not knowing what crane he'd like, that he had me print out of picture of it to give him. You can see Santa holding it in the photo. I'm guessing Santa must have told him he'll be able to bring that for him, because that's quite the smile on his face.

The second photo shows how surprised my older grandson was, to be getting a small gift from Santa, during his visit. Because he's older, he wouldn't sit on Santa's lap (it must not be the cool thing to do when you're 10), but he did talk with him for a few minutes and was smiling the entire time.

Learning to give to others that might not be as fortunate, is part of the spirit of the Christmas season, so it's wonderful that the Lakes Lounge and the Knights of Columbus give us this opportunity to teach our kids and grandkids about the joy of giving, without expecting to get anything in return.

Great looking Santa suit.....

Lovely Christmas Tree in the background.

Sweet photos of your grandsons, Mary! I remember those wonderful times with our children visiting Santa. Thank you for sharing.
Sort of sad in a way....thinking of those precious little victims who won't see Santa this year.

A grand lesson in life. One that every parent should be teaching their children in this day and age.

"The joy of giving, without expecting to get anything in return."

Thanks Mary for promoting this with your grandsons. GREAT PHOTOS AND STORY.

ohhh-I love the photos today. Your grandsons are such nice boys and of course-i love santa.It made my sad heart wander to parents whose children will not be coming home and to the sad state of our world today-where everyone is rushed...and angry. We need to slow down and help one another. We need God....we need a little Christmas....right this very moment....we need a little Christmas now!

Fun time out with Santa! Let kids believe in Santa as long as possible in these troubled times.

I agree with you, Janie, children need to believe in Santa as long as possible...such a 'magical' time in a child's life. I remember waking up one night when I was about 5 or 6, and seeing my mama putting toys under the tree and how very disappointed I felt.

And such a good message Mary....
...in a day and age where the politicians and business men promote the term "Pragmatism"....To heck with our children, every thing is needed now!

Great pictues of 2 special little guys! And i too like the way tree is decorated!

Hope the toy drive went well. Today i gathered up our modest offerings to take to a store collecting for "Toys for Tots". But the donation box was gone already. Upon asking the manager he said the donations were so good this year they had to get the boxes and start wrapping the gifts so they were done in time to get them to the families! What a great 'problem' to have! Fortunately i was able to find another location which still had their donation box out.

I love these pictures, too. It's so wonderful to share with those less fortunate.

There was a bag of toys at the top of my steps last week waiting to be taken to the drop off spot for the more needy in our little community. My 4 year old granddaughter thought they were for her. I told her that they were for little boys and girls whose parents didn't have enough money to buy them anything. All she said was something like, "Well, I hope you'll buy me something like that, too!" I, too, want them to learn that it's, not more at their young ages, but at least JUST AS important to give as it is to receive.

Thinking about the families in Connecticut who are suffering losses. My heart goes out to them. We really do need to bring God back into our schools.

we need to bring GOD back into a lot of things.

we need to stop letting people tell us we can not say 'Merry Christmas' or 'God Bless You' or to tell our children they can not say 'The Pledge of Alligance' before class. That is what I grew up with.

(please excuse me if I spelled a word or two (2) wrong)

We need better gun control. :(

So sorry Mary that this topic came up here. Wish all the kids in this world had the magic that your grandsons have.
Great pictures of the good old days that are still here.

Deb and Mickill, both posts well said!
Now, if only we could get some 'grown-ups' to realize that and do what needs to be done.

Never to old to sit on Santas lap..;O)

Mr. Rogers as a big part of my Childhood so I thought this man, of childlike simplicity, could best explain it.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers--so many caring people in this world." - Fred Rogers

Theresa I loved Mr. Rogers too, as did my children. It's true. There
are always helpers. God's helpers. That's what all of us should be.

Mary, thanks for sharing your Grandsons' visit to the celebration at the American Legion. You can sure be proud of those two. I have a feeling that Santa will find the exact crane your younger Grandson has on his list. And I'm sure Santa knows what your older Grandson wants for Christmas, too! :-)

Another Mr. Rogers fan here, Theresa and Kosk. I never heard his comforting advice to look for the helpers in fearful time, but what a good thing to tell children! Watching Mr. Rogers with my two children when they were small was often the calmest and most peaceful part of my day! ;-)

For some reason, my boys were never crazy about Mr. Rogers. But what a great program for kids, even though they never watched it. I did get to watch it with my grandchildren :-)