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Santa asks the children if they have been good little boys and girls.

The children at the Berthoud Early Learning Center had a surprise visitor this week. Santa came to the school twice on Wednesday, handing out gifts to the morning and afternoon classes.

The children were definitely excited and happy to see Santa and to receive gifts. A gift for each child is made possible by the generosity of the employees of the town of Berthoud. The school provides the first names of each child and whether the child is a boy or a girl. In a volunteer effort, and most do take part, the town employees draw a name and provide a gift. When there are more names than staff, the remainder is divided up. None of the 40 children in this year’s class did without a gift.

While nearly all town employees participate in the gift giving, it is the town hall office staff that does the organizing and keeping track of things. This is a project that the town employees have been doing for several years and hope to continue.

Unfortunately, most of the gift givers do not have the opportunity to see the joy on the faces of the children when Santa visits, those that accompanied to help Santa will attest to the delight of the children.

Thanks to  you all.

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Santa and his elves, left to right, Holly Paquette, Santa Claus, Mary Cowden, Linda Higuera, Kathy White, kneeling is Leighsa Grommon