Ponderay celebrates Santa Sack success
Santa and his elves took a ride on a trolley hauled by a Ponderay Police Department vehicle to deliver gifts Saturday as part of the city of Ponderay's Santa Sack project.
(Courtesy photo from the city of Ponderay))
PONDERAY — A trolley filled with toys for good girls and boys took a tour around Ponderay last week.
“The trolley, pulled by Ponderay's finest, towed Santa, Mrs. Claus and his elves around Ponderay on Saturday as part of the city's annual Santa Sack project,” KayLeigh Miller, Ponderay planning director, said.
For the 20th year in a row, the city collected donations from the community to encourage others.
This year, in addition to community donations, the event was partially funded by a Walmart Community Grant of $4,000, Miller said. The city was able to deliver 550 gift bags — 200 were boy bags, 200 were girl bags, 100 were senior bags and 50 were baby bags. Each pack was filled with necessary items as well as toys, activities, and treats. Some included gingerbread houses or cookie kits. The bags were then transported by Santa on a cart, or “trolley” hauled by a Ponderay Police vehicle.
“[We] spend the day driving up and down the streets of Ponderay, with Christmas music playing and watch as excited children run out to the streets to take photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, and of course collect their special gift,” Miller said.
This event also serves children in Kootenai, as the trolley visits Kootenai Elementary and its other stops. Bags for seniors were delivered straight to their doors throughout the community.
“We are so grateful that the city and the community come together each year to fund the amazing community event,” Miller said. “This event is one of our favorite and most rewarding to host. It is truly an honor to be a part of something that is so special that brings so much joy to the community.”