Itasca Night with Santa a time for giving

This is the season of people helping people, and on Tuesday night that spirit was on full display at the Itasca Public Library where residents gathered to celebrate a Night with Santa.

Participants were encouraged, for example, to donate new and unwrapped toys that police officers collected and will help distribute to local families in need. Folks also donated winter wear for people of all ages and food and nonperishable items for the Itasca Food Pantry.

In exchange for all that giving, many participants at the annual event received commemorative ornaments and tote bags to take home.

That spirit of giving was the perfect theme for a night when Mr. Claus arrived to oversee activities that included holiday crafts organized by community groups and holiday music by the Peacock Middle School Choir.