Santa paid an early Christmas visit Wednesday (Dec. 7) to St. Tammany Cancer Center, a campus of Ochsner Medical Center – but instead of eight tiny reindeer, he came with one big train.
That would be the Polar Express, a fun-filled version of which occupied the cancer center parking lot – complete with a golden-ticket-dispensing conductor (played by Randy Ponthieux of Heritage Bank) – as part of the nonprofit Ruby’s Kids’ annual Christmas toy giveaway to the children of local cancer patients.
“This means a lot to me. It makes me happy,” said Sal D’Antoni Jr., the founder of and driving force behind Ruby’s Kids, which is named after his late wife.
D’Antoni was joined by a small army of volunteers who staffed the activity tables filling the two tents that were transformed by Christmas magic into a train. Attendees also got a chance to get a photo with Santa before visiting the last – and most popular – station: the gift tent.
In all, 63 kids walked away with Christmas gifts this year.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this event a reality!
Scroll down to check out photos from the event.