In the spirit of the season, the Clark community rallied to conduct the third annual Christmas Jingle event to benefit children and the Clark Pioneer Recreation Center.

The gathering, including a visit from Santa Claus, was attended by more than 80 people. And there was a veritable sleigh full of volunteers. They helped with games, an art table and a low-cost gift store for children up to 12. Held Tuesday night, Nov. 28, attendance was up from last year, said Shirley Bentley, a principal organizer.

“And with 15 craft vendors, plus the snack bar with chili and hot dogs, it was a financial success for the center,” she said.

She emphasized that the Jingle is primarily “a fun-raiser” rather than a fundraiser.

“It’s a chance for kids and adults to gather, visit and have fun,” she said. “The event really is aimed at the kids; we enjoy the event as much as they do.

“We had so much help,” she added, “including $350 in cash donations for the Jingle Store for kids and game prizes. Besides those who ran the food booth, provided decorations, cookies and candy, ingredients for the food booth and who helped set up the event and clean up afterward, we are grateful for others who stepped up that night to assist with the booths.”

A list of volunteers, “although possibly missing a few,” included Bentley and her husband, Todd, who is a special friend of Santa Claus; Sharon Wimberg, Bonnie Craig, Gail Gauthier, Dulcie McNulty, Charla Gerbig, Barbara Bouchard-Phillips, Nicole Justice Fosberg and her son, James, Rita Lovell, Nathaniel Simms, Nancy Woolard, Kristin Phipps, Kristin Adkins, Pam Kimmet, Barbara Dodge, Mary Dodge, Ann McNabb, Marla Schimps, Alyssa Lybic, Linda Mitchell and “Mario.”

Donating items and cash to varying degrees for the food, game prizes and other “fun-raising” areas were Don Tolman, Rock Creek Ranch, Canyon Real Estate, Ringler Custom Leather and Clarks Fork Trading Co.