For nine years, children in Falcon School District 49 have been treated to a morning with Santa, courtesy of the D 49 transportation department.Bus driver R.J. Berry organizes the effort every year. He estimates the program has helped more than 400 families.”We are helping make the dreams of children come true,” he said.More than 50 children will participate in the event this year, Berry said. The children, ranging in age from 5 to 9, will ride a D 49 school bus to the district’s bus barn, where a hot breakfast awaits them. They eat, play games and wait for Santa, who makes his entrance on a Falcon Fire Protection District fire truck.”When Santa comes, the kids are so happy; they are so tickled,” Berry said.Elementary school officials select participants based on special circumstances. While financial need is a large part of the program, Berry said others are chosen if the family is facing hardships like an illness or other family tragedy.By the end of the morning, the children will have received gift cards to Safeway, plus new coats and winter gear, a backpack filled with school supplies and a basket full of food tailored to kids. And they will have gone on a shopping spree to Wal-Mart.The Falcon Lions Club, Wal-Mart, Farmers State Bank and The State Bank donate to the event. Berry said he raised $7,000 to fund the event this year.Volunteers from the Falcon community serve food and escort the children during the activities. Berry said Mountain Springs Church, Schriever Air Force Base, the Falcon High School ROTC and the D 49 transportation department are providing the volunteers this year.Mike Ingraham volunteers every year as Santa Claus. He said his favorite part of the day is talking to the kids one on one. “I ask them what they really want for Christmas,” he said.Instead of asking for toys, Ingraham said many ask for a mommy or daddy or a new house for their family. “Their answers stop me in my tracks,” he said.Ingraham said the whole transportation department pulls together to make the day a wonderful experience for the children. “They make stockings, come and cook and serve breakfast and bring their wives,” he said.Berry said participating in Santa’s Toy Express is the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season. “It leaves us all with a perma-grin for the whole month.”
