Santa gets a big hug from several Head Start students. | Clif Knight

Head start students in Hartselle of ages 1-5 received age appropriate wrapped gifts from Santa Claus on Monday morning thanks to the generosity of Kids Day sponsor John F. Thompson American Legion Post 51 in Hartselle.

“We bought gifts for Head Start students for the first time last year,’ said Post 52 Commander. Bob Train. “It was such a thrill for the kids we decided to include them in our Kids Day program as long as we have enough money to finance the program. Forty-seven students are enrolled in Head Start.

Santa visited five classrooms and allowed each one of the students to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. The 1-year-olds were somewhat reluctant to sit on his lamp, and some of the 2-year-olds ran and tried to hide when he walked into their room. The older kids rushed to hug him when he entered their rooms and were eager to express their Christmas wishes.