COAL TOWNSHIP - A chance for children to give Santa their wish list and get a photo with the "jolly old elf" himself helped out two organizations Sunday evening.
On a cold December night, Joe and Darlene Bressi, of Coal Township, turned their backyard into a winter wonderland of decorations and Christmas wonder as a backdrop for photos with Santa.
"We love opening this up and hosting Santa to come and meet with the children and have their picture taken with him," Darlene Bressi said.
Darlene met "Santa's helper," Fred Rabbits, of Frackville, while working as a registered nurse.
"I wanted to host him at my home and he graciously accepted my invitation," Bressi said. "He's been coming every year since."
It has helped Rabbits get more work as "Santa's Helper," too.
"The next two weekends, he will be making an appearance at the Yuengling Mansion. All due to his great work here," Darlene said.
After enjoying a snack of cookies, hot chocolate and popcorn, the children spent their time with Santa, all while photographer Joshua V. Bressi of Carriage House Studio captured the moment.
"Normally, any photo he takes is a copyrighted image, but for this special event, he waves the copyrights so the image can be used in anyway," Bressi said.
Proceeds from this year's event will be split between the original benefactor, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and an added charity this year, the Wounded Warriors Project. This year $540 was raised.
"That is a charity that is near and dear to Santa's heart, so we included it this year," Darlene Bressi said.