It was a very merry early Christmas for some children in Elkhart today. They were all singing Jingle Bells as Santa entered the Elkhart FOP Building. The Juvenile Division of the Elkhart Police Department threw a Christmas party for over 90 kids who otherwise wouldn't' have much of a Christmas. The kids enjoyed a lunch then a visit from Santa. Justin Current said he told Santa, "I wanted a skateboard and he said ok I'll see what I can do." Mekahi Gilbert said this of his conversation with Santa, "He asked me what I wanted for Chris tams and I said a PlayStation 2"
Police said local schools submit names of 10 children who would benefit from the party. All the children also get gifts from Santa. And they were able to go home with something for mom and dad too. They all signed Christmas cards for their families and were given gift cards for a ham at Martin's to put inside those Christmas cards. Sergeant Duane Clark with the Elkhart Police Department Juvenile Bureau said, "we're used to dealing with kind of the bad kids and it's really nice to be able to once a year at least do something nice for the kids that aren't the bad kids."
The annual Christmas party has been going on for almost 30 years. Clark said it is all made possible because of donations.
