With a &uot;Ho, Ho, Ho&uot; and loads of laughter, Santa Claus slid into the Salvation Army’s headquarters on Bank Street to help the Kiwanis Club of Suffolk put on its annual Christmas Party for 26 local children.

The children, ages three to 13, enjoyed a dinner of fried chicken and vegetables, and ice cream and cake, of course, all served by Kiwanians.

Following their dinner, Kiwanian J. Lee Bowman led the group in singing Christmas carols.

Santa Claus, sometimes known as Gary Willoughby, appeared out of the sky, stopping by after hearing the strains of &uot;Here Comes Santa Claus!&uot; as the children sang of his arrival. He also brought with him a bag full of presents for them.

Kiwanians purchased the presents and they were bought with each child in mind based on their age and sex. The Salvation Army provided that list to Kiwanis.

Gifts were wrapped by the Forest Glen Builders Club, a middle school level service club sponsored by Kiwanis. Nils Melkerson and H.J. &uot;Nubby&uot; Miller, club liaisons between the Builders and Kiwanis, said that group was excited to be a part of this project.

Volunteers from the Kiwanis Club arranged the Christmas decor and greenery including the holly and pine. Mack Wilkerson and his wife, Doris, and Sue and H.J. Miller helped with the tables that sported bright red coverings and the greenery. The organizer of the event, Harry Leggett and his wife, Kitty, and Kiwanis Club President Gene Denison coordinated the festivities with help from Captain David May, commanding officer of Suffolk’s Salvation Army headquarters.