Santa’s Workshop tradition continues in Sugar Camp

Traditions, especially those of the holiday variety, resonate in small towns. Generations of townspeople who couldn’t fathom living anywhere else work hard to ensure their children get to experience the Christmas rituals they enjoyed in their own younger days.

This is certainly true of the annual Santa’s Workshop event in Sugar Camp, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.

On Friday, Dec. 16, Sugar Camp students in pre-K through sixth grade were treated to a free 20-minute sleigh ride, courtesy of Rocking W Stables, and a visit to the town hall where they shopped for Christmas presents for their family members.

The items the students chose from were donated by organizations and individuals in the community.

According to Jess Edwardson, president of the Sugar Camp School Community Organization (SCO), the event was originally held in the art room at the Sugar Camp Elementary School.

“The Girl Scouts would set up and price everything, anywhere from a quarter to 50 cents to a dollar, and then (the kids) could come in and shop,” she explained. “Then, over the years it’s grown. We’ve had so many community members either donate or businesses donate and now we’re over here in the town hall. We have an amazing community, especially businesses, that donate and help us make this happen.”

“Now everything is free to the students,” Edwardson noted. “They get to shop for siblings, parents, stepparents and grandparents.”

Volunteers are prepared to offer suggestions, if students need help or recommendations, and a row of volunteers wrap up all the goodies so they are ready to place under the Christmas tree.

“They just find so much joy in finding that one special gift for dad and mom,” Edwardson noted.

These days, the event also includes an ornament tree. After they’re done shopping for their loved ones, the students can pick out an ornament for themselves to take home for their tree.

“It’s just fun because then they get a little something too,” Edwardson noted.

Kim Pagel experienced Santa’s Workshop as a child. And, because the community committed to keeping it going, her children get to enjoy it as well

“I remember it being in the art room and I think we had to pay like 50 cents a person at the time,” she said. “And now the kids don’t have to pay anything and it’s beautiful, beautiful gifts and they get so excited about being able to give.”

“It’s just amazing just seeing how their faces just light up when they find that gift like, ‘Oh, Papa would love that,” Edwardson added.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].