More than 100 Head Start students in Walker County received a visit from Santa Claus over the last few days.
Kevin Callahan, general manager and owner of Honda of Jasper and Hyundai of Jasper, said the dealership helps Santa deliver bicycles to students each year. This year, St. Nick, who closely favored Callahan, made stops in Parrish, Dora and Sumiton.
“This is something that everyone enjoys,” Callahan said. “Of course, the kids enjoy it, but the teachers and the parents do as well, and our folks here at the dealership have a great time with it.”
Santa Claus took time at each location to speak with each child and have pictures taken. One child at Parrish asked Santa for a pony with Santa replying, “I bet you’re talking about a toy pony. I think we can do that.”
Another child asked if Santa’s beard was real to which Santa replied, “Yes, but I’ll trim it after my trip around the world but before I take my long nap. It will grow back out by the time my nap is over.”
The giveaway included bikes or toys for more than 125 children.
Sumiton students were visited on Tuesday, while Parrish and Dora students got to meet Santa on Thursday.
Children immediately hopped on their new bikes Thursday, pedaling them around the parking lot at the old Parrish High School and the gym floor at the City of Lights in Dora.
“We just want to make sure these kids in the Head Start programs get some sort of a gift for Christmas. Being able to get it directly from Santa Claus makes it even more special,” Callahan said. “The elves were busy this year getting all those bicycles ready.”
Callahan said the partnership with Head Start has been successful, because of the work of the teachers.
“The teachers love their students,” Callahan added. “The teachers can’t do what we do as far as gifts, but they make sure we have the names and information so we can do this each year.”
As Santa departed Dora on Thursday afternoon, he let out a loud, “Ho! Ho! Ho, and Merry Christmas to Walker County!”
