An age-appropriate gift and a bag of fruit and candy will brighten the faces of approximately 300 kids of needy families again this year thanks to the 66th annual Hartselle Kids Day, a project of John F. Thompson American Legion post 52.

The fun-filled event will be held at Sparkman Civic Center on Fri., Dec. 14, beginning at 9 a.m.

“We expect about 300 kids this year,” said Jerry Cleek, project chairman. “They’ll be coming from Danville-Neel Elementary School, Falkville Elementary School, Eva School and Sparkman School.

“We have had as many as 500 participants but that was before Hartselle Schools opted not to participate,” Cleek added. “The gifts we picked out are nice but the cost goes up every year. “The amount of money we had to spend would’ve run out if we were buying for 500 participants.”

He said gifts would be wrapped and separated by schools on Thurs., Dec. 13, at the civic center. The Post 52 Auxiliary Unit will have a lead role in that task with help from high school student volunteers.

Each boy and girl present, ranging in age from five to 10, will be introduced by name and receive a gift from Santa. Legionnaires will distribute bags of fruit and candy to the children as they leave the building with escorts to board their school bus.