Submitted Photo

Shaniya Dennison, 4, of Polkton was too shy to sit on Santa’s lap when she first arrived, but finally warmed up to him and gave him a hug after receiving gifts from him at a Christmas party hosted by South Piedmont Community College’s Student Government Association.

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POLKTON — South Piedmont Community College’s Student Government Association threw a party Wednesday, Dec. 14, for five children from three families that it adopted for the Christmas season.

Santa was on hand in the Martin Student Center on the L.L. Polk Campus, and there were lots of sweets and fruit to eat. Each child received three gifts from Santa during the party and, unknown to them, boxes of gifts went home with the parents for Christmas morning.

“We had help from a lot of the clubs on campus,” student activities assistant Toni Carpenter said, listing the Campus Crusade for Christ, the Criminal Justice Club, the Accounting Club, the Advertising and Graphic Design Club, Arts and Crafts Club, IMPACT, the International Club. Random students and staff members also contributed, she said.

The children, ranging in age from 1 to 7, were from throughout SPCC’s service area, with three from one family from Monroe and one each from Polkton and Wadesboro. They were recommended by Crisis Assistance in Anson County and a student who knew the family from Monroe.