SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Santa made an appearance at the East Race Waterway on Friday — providing children with plenty of holiday cheer!

In addition to Santa riding through the East Race on a jet ski, several local businesses helped fulfill the Christmas wishes of many local children who are without a home.

Around 100 kids from Hope Rescue, Center for the Homeless and St. Margaret’s House were there to meet Santa!

“They don’t get a chance to ask for what they want or have a nice festive evening in a cool place like this,” Brian Baker said, an event organizer. “If there is 1 kid, 10 kids or 100 kids, if you can make a difference in one of their lives, just at the beginning of the season like this, it’s so worth it.”

Kids got to decorate their holiday cards, play games, and sing carols.

There were also cookies and hot chocolate for the kids to enjoy!