Wilgus Hall hosted their annual holiday party for the underprivileged children in the surrounding Platteville area on Dec. 6. This year there was a total of 24 children who attend the event. Children ranging in age from five months to 11 years old were at the event, which featured children’s games, cookie decorating and a visit from Santa, who read and handed out presents to the children.

Each child that attended was given presents and a stocking as well as the cookies that they decorated. With the help of donations by individual businesses, campus organizations and individuals in the community, Wilgus Hall was able to spend approximately $30-40 on each child. This included small gifts in the stockings as well as many presents under the tree.

Senior Assistant Lucas Ohl, of Hugunin Hall and sophomore middle-level education major and Resident Assistant Becca Johnson dressed up as Santa Claus’ helpers for this event. Two other members of the staff dressed up as elves to help pass out presents.

The children started to arrive at approximately 1 p.m. and were welcomed with snacks and beanbag toss. There were activities such as coloring holiday pages, decorating cookies, pin the nose on Rudolph and holiday bingo. Local businesses donated coupons as the rewards for winning bingo or being the closest to putting Rudolph’s red nose on the right spot on his face.

The staff at Wilgus, Resident Director Anna Mroch, the executive board and residents of the hall had been planning this event for a little over a month.

“The party went well, it was a lot of fun,” Johnson said. “The children had a great time, they really liked their presents and they were really excited to see Santa.”