By DOTTY NIST
Elves by the hundreds made the trek to the South Walton Fire District (SWFD) WaterColor Station to deliver gifts for local children who might otherwise have little or nothing under their Christmas tree this year.
The Dec. 6, 2015, Elf Ride was the eighth time the annual event was held since first being created and organized by Luke Thompson as a 10-year-old south Walton County resident. Thompson, now a student at the University of West Florida, still serves as leader, organizer, and “Grand Elf.” He thanked all elves for their participation.
Gaily-dressed elves walked, rode bikes, or used other fun kinds of non-gasoline-powered transportation along their route from Seaside to the fire station, as is the tradition. Many bikes and other rides were decorated for the occasion.
The meeting place and route were modified this year to enhance safety, with elves departing from the Van Ness Butler, Jr., Regional Beach Access and traversing part of the WaterColor subdivision before entering and winding around the WaterColor Crossings shopping center and then arriving at the station. The new trek was about 1 1/2 miles as in previous years.
After placing their gifts under a SWFD Angel Tree, the elves were treated to Bruno’s pizza, other refreshments, a visit with Santa, and station and fire engine tours.
Awards were presented, as well, for Youngest Elf, Best Costume and Best-in-Show categories.
The SWFD Angel Tree program is conducted in association with the Walton County Caring and Sharing charitable organization. The program will benefit several hundred Walton County children this Christmas season.
Information on the program and how to assist is available by calling the SWFD at (850) 267-1298, emailing SWFD Administrative Assistant Robbie Lund at rlund@swfd.org, or visiting the SWFD web site www.swfd.org.
Elves by the hundreds made the trek to the South Walton Fire District (SWFD) WaterColor Station to deliver gifts for local children who might otherwise have little or nothing under their Christmas tree this year.
The Dec. 6, 2015, Elf Ride was the eighth time the annual event was held since first being created and organized by Luke Thompson as a 10-year-old south Walton County resident. Thompson, now a student at the University of West Florida, still serves as leader, organizer, and “Grand Elf.” He thanked all elves for their participation.
Gaily-dressed elves walked, rode bikes, or used other fun kinds of non-gasoline-powered transportation along their route from Seaside to the fire station, as is the tradition. Many bikes and other rides were decorated for the occasion.
The meeting place and route were modified this year to enhance safety, with elves departing from the Van Ness Butler, Jr., Regional Beach Access and traversing part of the WaterColor subdivision before entering and winding around the WaterColor Crossings shopping center and then arriving at the station. The new trek was about 1 1/2 miles as in previous years.
After placing their gifts under a SWFD Angel Tree, the elves were treated to Bruno’s pizza, other refreshments, a visit with Santa, and station and fire engine tours.
Awards were presented, as well, for Youngest Elf, Best Costume and Best-in-Show categories.
The SWFD Angel Tree program is conducted in association with the Walton County Caring and Sharing charitable organization. The program will benefit several hundred Walton County children this Christmas season.
Information on the program and how to assist is available by calling the SWFD at (850) 267-1298, emailing SWFD Administrative Assistant Robbie Lund at rlund@swfd.org, or visiting the SWFD web site www.swfd.org.