On Dec. 17, the Brandon Ladies of Elks and lodge members hosted a Christmas pajama party for Family Forever, an organization that finds forever homes for children in foster care. At this time, the organization has around 2,000 children in need of homes. Approximately 200 people attended this event, including foster parents and more than 100 children. There were snowball fights, a hot chocolate bar and a delicious meal for the children. Each child received a shopping bag to go around to tables to select Christmas items, toiletries, socks, pajamas and blankets, supplied by Family Forever. There was also a station for the children to secretly select gifts for their parents, which were wrapped by Brandon Lodge and Ladies member, Charlene Hart, and her friend. Each child had a visit with Santa (Elk James Lair) and picked out a toy from the Walgreens annual gift drive. The event was put on by Past Lady President Terri Ciesla, chair; 15 Ladies and lodge volunteers; and helpers from Family Forever. The Brandon Ladies of Elks raised $1,838.49 from Bunco Nights to support the event and purchase gifts. In addition, lodge members chose children's names from wish list cards and donated gifts for specific children. The lodge also donated $1,100 from its charity account for gifts for an additional 29 children. Ciesla said the day was truly "Christmas. This is what Elks do…we help children.”

Pictured are guests in the hall, the parents’ gifts station, and Mary Lou Scribner, PER and Charlene Hart.