CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9144 played Santa Claus on Sunday (with a little help from the jolly old elf) at the town's tree lighting. 

 

The post handed out nearly $10,000 in donations to worthy organizations. 

 

Santa arrived on a fire truck with the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Department and was greeted with cheers but a large crowd of children. He helped VFW members Joseph Bushika and Edward Denault in lighting the young tree, which replaced an older permanent tree.

 

The crowd headed to the pavilion for pictures with Santa and cookies and hot chocolate provided by the VFW. 

 

In between, the VFW recognized organizations that have helped the town and the larger community with monetary donations. This has been an annual event using proceeds from the golf tournament hosted by the post.  

 

"All these donations have been doubled this year," said Denault. "Reason being as the golf tournament was so successful. Thanks everybody who donated so we got extra money to give out."

 

The post gave $250 to St. Elizabeth's Rosary Society for its scholarship program; $500 to the Drury High School band for its participation in the Memorial Day event; $500 to the town's Council on Aging; $1,000 each to two local cancer charities, the AYJ Fund and PopCares, and $1,000 each the town library, the Historical Society and and Fire Department. 

 

The Clarksburg School PTG was gifted with $3,500. Denault said the VFW often gave its donations toward field trips and other events but feels the PTG would know best where the money would do the most good for the children. 

 

The evening concluded with the prekindergarten class at Clarksburg School singing "Must Be Santa" and then Santa lead everyone in singing "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer."