Cameron Mattox, 3, helps wrap presents that she picked out for her family at The Christmas Store. The children could choose presents for their family members and one for themselves, as well as get them wrapped by one of Santa's helpers. All free of charge. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Jahmir Clark, 3, helps carry his family's wrapped Christmas presents. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Two of Santa's helpers wrap a bean bag for a patient at The Christmas Store. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Loniya Johnson, 14, tells Santa what she would like for Christmas after shopping at the annual Christmas Store in the Balk Cafeteria of Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. The toys are donated from 17 different churches in Wyoming, Michigan, and organized by Grace Reformed Church. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Tabitha Brown, 8, picks out a new soccer ball for herself after picking out presents for her family for Christmas. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Johnathon Jeltema, 2, poses for a photo with his new Ninja Turtle sweatshirt that one of Santa's helpers picked out for him. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Cameron Mattox, 3, tells Santa what she wants for Christmas during The Christmas Store event. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Jahmir Clark, 3, poses for a photo with Santa. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Tabitha Brown, 8, receives a kiss from her father while she fills out name tags for her family's Christmas presents. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Santa holds 5-month-old Jayceon Hawkins. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
She and other hospital patients had a chance to visit The Christmas Store in the Balk Cafe. The kids shopped through hundreds of presents to choose something for their parents and siblings, free of charge. Santa visited with children as his helpers wrapped the children’s selected presents.
“This event is just amazing,” said Tabitha’s dad, Jonathon Brown. “I’m glad they have something like this for us and other kids and their families to experience. This is so cool.”
The new, unused items were donated by 17 churches from the Wyoming, Michigan, area and collected and organized by Grace Reformed Church.
“This is my third year volunteering at this event and I absolutely love it,” said volunteer Sandy Farris. “This gives the kids an opportunity to give presents … and experience a little bit of that true meaning of Christmas.”