Photo By Derika Upshaw | Samuel Johnson, 1, picks a toy with his sister Maya Johnson, 3, and mom, Niki Johnson,...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas — Santa’s Workshop at The Great Place brought the joy of Christmas to Fort Hood with their annual Christmas in July event July 23. Over 100 families spent an hour in segments participating in games, arts and crafts and picking prizes.
“We get so many donations throughout the year that we just want to make sure to reach out and almost promote our program earlier than waiting until our Christmas time,” said Edith Lucas, senior advisor for Santa’s Workshop at The Great Place.
Lucas said the response from their shop days in December pushed them to have another event within the year.
“The number of families that we touch, the joy that you see in our Soldiers and spouses who come through here are just completely almost overwhelmed with joy of what they’re actually receiving for their kids,” she said.
The event lasted throughout the morning, with families divided into groups of 20, allotted a one-hour slot to enjoy the event. First, Santa read to the children, then families took turns making wreaths, ornaments and coloring. Afterward, families were able to pick 10 items from a room of odds-and-ends holiday décor and toys before finally heading to the toy room to choose from the overflow toys from last year.
“You know the toys change and our kids’ interest change and just the relevance of stuff. So sometimes stuff that has sat on the shelves longer, those we are putting out first,” Lucas said. “But everything is still a new toy and hasn’t been used, and so they’re all going home with something good today.”
Rachel Rodriguez, an Army spouse, enjoyed the event with her daughters Evangeline, 6, and Divina, 10.
“It was a cute little event, something for them to do during the summer,” she said. “We get those boring summer days where you’re just at home and have nothing to do.”
Rachel likes the workshop event in December, but really likes they are continuing to do the Christmas in July event.
“It’s good because I know that in December the kids can’t come, so they don’t get to really see Santa unless we’re somewhere where it’s super busy and there’s so many people,” she said. “So I think this is nice where they actually get to see him here, like so close to home. And they’re like ‘oh he does come here.’”
Evangeline loved the event, but her favorite part was not picking the toy. “(I like) the marshmallow game,” she said. “(I like it so much) because it was marshmallows, and I get to grab them and put them in the bowl.”
The workshop conducted a marshmallow game in which the children put plastic cups on their hands and tried to grab the marshmallows and transfer them to a bowl.
Rachel said she feels like it helps bring the community together where they get to see there are more things offered at Fort Hood.
“It also just lets the community know that they actually care about us,” she said.
Lucas said Santa’s Workshop is important for the Fort Hood community because the holiday season can be hard for many military families.
“Anything that can help goes a long way,” she said. “I just don’t think any kids should have to go without enjoyment at the Christmas season.”
Lucas encouraged people interested in the organization to come by and see what they have to offer. She said they helped over 700 families last year and requested the help of more units with donations and volunteers so they can bring joy to more families.
Those who want to participate in the workshop’s shopping days can look for registration to open Sept. 7 and shopping to start Nov. 30 for the Christmas season. For more information, visit their website at http://santasworkshopgp.org/.
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2026 11:43 |
| Story ID: | 573896 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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