The Spirit of Christmas

Indiana Blue Star Committee along with American Legion Post 145 of Avon, Ind. came together to host the Spirit of Christmas event, in which 16 military families in need received christmas gifts at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, Ind. on Saturday, December 20, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.

Children play with frisbees while waiting for Santa to arrive. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Children play with frisbees while waiting for Santa to arrive. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Ralph
Ralph "Zoc" Zoccolillo chats with the Cottrill family before the Spirit of Christmas event, put on by American Legion Avon Post 145 and the Indiana Blue Star Salute. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Indiana Air Search and Rescue gives Santa a lift to the Spirit of Christmas event. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Indiana Air Search and Rescue gives Santa a lift to the Spirit of Christmas event. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Children eagerly awaited Santa to arrive on a UH-1 Huey helicopter. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Children eagerly awaited Santa to arrive on a UH-1 Huey helicopter. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Santa touches down just before 11 a.m. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Santa touches down just before 11 a.m. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Each family, one by one, went up to spend a few moments with Santa. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Each family, one by one, went up to spend a few moments with Santa. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
As the family met with Santa, they had a family portrait made. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
As the family met with Santa, they had a family portrait made. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
U.S. Naval Sea Cadets deliver gifts to the Law family. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
U.S. Naval Sea Cadets deliver gifts to the Law family. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Pike High School JROTC cadets assisted in the distribution of gifts to the families. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Pike High School JROTC cadets assisted in the distribution of gifts to the families. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Kendrick Law, 6, and his sister Madyson, 9, marvel at their gifts. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Kendrick Law, 6, and his sister Madyson, 9, marvel at their gifts. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Derek, son of Lindsey Dominos of the Indianapolis National Guard, is in awe of a gift he received. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Derek, son of Lindsey Dominos of the Indianapolis National Guard, is in awe of a gift he received. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Derek and his mom, Lindsey Domokos, watch a video of him opening his present. Lindsey said she'd never seen him react with such excitement to a gift before, and Derek watched the video over and over. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Derek and his mom, Lindsey Domokos, watch a video of him opening his present. Lindsey said she'd never seen him react with such excitement to a gift before, and Derek watched the video over and over. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
The family portraits made were printed and given to the families free of charge. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
The family portraits made were printed and given to the families free of charge. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
The families were treated afterwards to a catered meal, just one of the many donations made to the Spirit of Christmas event. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
The families were treated afterwards to a catered meal, just one of the many donations made to the Spirit of Christmas event. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.