Wrangell Sentinel -

Tots flocked into the American Legion Hall to see the Big Man Saturday.

For the third year in a row, the post hosted a holiday get-together and gift giveaway at the hall, though several changes this year were designed to make things easier for organizers and especially parents. The Big Man, in this case, is Santa Claus.

The party comes with its annual set of challenges and rewards, said Marilyn Mork, who helped organize the annual holiday hootenanny. That includes a scramble to make sure every child receives a gift, Mork said.

"This year we provided for 150," she said. "Yesterday, we had 150 that had signed up. So we went downtown and got a few donations, quite a few donations, actually. There's always last-minute walk-ins."

In addition, the active portion of the American Legion Auxiliary, the group that organizes the party, has decreased in size. In all, three or four members in addition to Mork, help by pounding the pavement, soliciting donations, and cleaning the hall in preparation for the party, including daughter Jenny Mork, Ida Howell, and auxiliary secretary Zona Gregg are the central contributors, while others, like Caroline Demmert, contribute as much as time allows.

"I think I just like giving to the community," Mork said. "I like to do something to give back."

The party has gotten so popular that it's actually turned into two, Mork said. This year, organizers separated the attendees as much as possible into separate age groups. Younger children attended in the morning and older elementary school-age (ages 7 to 12) children attended in the afternoon. The division was made easier by a system of pre-registration implemented as the party's popularity grew, Mork said.

"This year, we preregistered last week," she said. "I should have started a month ago. It's gotten really pretty big."

"Last year, you couldn't even get into this building," she added.

The preparation has turned into a holiday marathon, Mork said.

"Last weekend, three nights in a row we were here until 1 or 2 in the morning," she said. "All weekend long. My husband said, 'I should just get you a cot and you can stay up there (at the Legion Hall).'"

The children themselves lined up in front of an arch to receive their present straight from Santa Claus.

Amber and Gregory Gifford collected their gifts, and sat wistfully at one end of the hall waiting for the high sign from Mom to start shredding some wrapping paper.

"I can't wait to open my presents!" Amber, 6, said.

Eventually, the moment arrived and wrapping paper went flying. Amber scored a Tinkerbell Pixie Paradise Pool play set, and Gregory, 4, received two Hot Wheels cars and a track for them to run on.

"Hey!" Gregory shouted. "This is for my cars!"