Santa visits Admiral Heights

As Admiral Heights residents carried their unwrapped toys to Halsey Park for the Santa Run, the first thing they noticed was the fire. Parents were sharpening sticks for their children and showing them how to roast marshmallows and make s’mores.

After a few burnt marshmallows and a few underdone marshmallows, the perfect “chocolate sandwich” was finally made.

While some children and adults were mesmerized by the fire, other children were content to “run, run, run” while their parents pursued them. Still others munched on cookies.

While the children cooked, ate and ran, a lawn chair was filled with toys for Santa to deliver to needy children. Although most residents arrived more than a half hour early, the time seemed to fly by. In no time at all, Santa was arriving on a firetruck and sitting down with the children on his lap. As each child received a candy cane, parents and friends clicked away with their cameras and phones.

Attendance estimates ranged from 40 to 50. Santa had a great haul of gifts because those unable to attend still shopped and sent gifts with their neighbors.

“Each year the Annapolis Santa Run visits communities throughout the Annapolis area to gather gifts for needy children.” Its goal is “to brighten Christmas morning for our neighbors in need.”