Indiana Blue Star's Spirit of Christmas

The Indiana Blue Star organization, helped in part by American Legion posts 145, 331 and 426, along with other area community businesses and organizations raised over $15,000 to help give 18 military families in need a proper Christmas in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Photos by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.

Talitha, 7, anxiously awaits balloon fairy wings provided by a balloon artist before Santa arrived at The Indiana Blue Star's Spirit of Christmas event in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Talitha, 7, anxiously awaits balloon fairy wings provided by a balloon artist before Santa arrived at The Indiana Blue Star's Spirit of Christmas event in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Parents take pictures of their kids with the decorations at the Spirit of Christmas event in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Parents take pictures of their kids with the decorations at the Spirit of Christmas event in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
A young girl hugs Santa after he arrived in a Huey helicopter in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Now in the second year of the event, Indiana Air Search and Rescue has made it a tradition of bringing Santa in on a Huey.
A young girl hugs Santa after he arrived in a Huey helicopter in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Now in the second year of the event, Indiana Air Search and Rescue has made it a tradition of bringing Santa in on a Huey.
Indiana Blue Star Chairman and Legionnaire Ralph
Indiana Blue Star Chairman and Legionnaire Ralph "Zoc" Zoccolillo addresses the crowd in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
National Guard Pvt. Austin Williams, 113th Brigade Support Battalion combat medic, comforts his wife, Mary Beth, after learning that nonprofit organization Cars 4 Heroes donated a vehicle to them. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
National Guard Pvt. Austin Williams, 113th Brigade Support Battalion combat medic, comforts his wife, Mary Beth, after learning that nonprofit organization Cars 4 Heroes donated a vehicle to them. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
National Guard Pvt. Austin Williams, 113th Brigade Support Battalion combat medic, shares a moment with his family after receiving a new vehicle Dec. 19. Williams exclaimed,
National Guard Pvt. Austin Williams, 113th Brigade Support Battalion combat medic, shares a moment with his family after receiving a new vehicle Dec. 19. Williams exclaimed, "we can fit everyone!" Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion. We
More than $15,000 was raised in just two months to provide 18 military families in need with the Christmas they deserve. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
More than $15,000 was raised in just two months to provide 18 military families in need with the Christmas they deserve. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Fernando Fojo of the Raleigh Burke DDG-51 Division of the US Navy Sea Cadets helps distribute gifts during the Spirit of Christmas event in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, Dec. 19. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Fernando Fojo of the Raleigh Burke DDG-51 Division of the US Navy Sea Cadets helps distribute gifts during the Spirit of Christmas event in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, Dec. 19. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
"It's a lot more than what I have under the tree right now," said Army veteran Jason Kight, holding his one year old son, William, while admiring the pile of gifts given to them during a Spirit of Christmas event. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion
Dalen, 8, shows off a new toy to his brother, Kaden, 6, during Indiana Blue Star's Spirit of Christmas event. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion
Dalen, 8, shows off a new toy to his brother, Kaden, 6, during Indiana Blue Star's Spirit of Christmas event. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion
Matthew, 2, reacts in excitement to a new toy as parents look on in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Matthew, 2, reacts in excitement to a new toy as parents look on in Danville, Ind., on Saturday, December 19. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
"These are happy tears," said National Guard Sgt. Ashely McMann, 113th Brigade Support Battalion, to her son Trenton, 9. "It means the world to me." Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion