Arms and bellies were full of those who attended the Stuart Lions Club’s annual Community Christmas event Saturday.

A freewill offering soup lunch was served at the First Congregational Church, where kids and adults got to shop for free gifts for their relatives. Train rides were held outside and Santa Claus gave goodie bags to children. Lions Treasurer Kristy Lonsdale commented that their event seems to get bigger each year, and President Larry Gilbert sounded pleased, “(I’m) real glad to see a good turnout on this event here. I’ve seen a lot of visitations going on with friends and stuff like that and really get tickled over watching the kids faces and everybody enjoyed the soup and desserts and stuff like that and so we thank everybody for attending.”

It was difficult to walk away empty handed, as drawings were held for prize bags from local businesses and decorated wreaths donated by Lions Secretary Nyla Maas and Harmony Christmas Tree Farm. Lonsdale thanks all those who helped contribute to the kids shop free activity.