Brightening the holidays

MONTROSE — Forget the reindeer and sled, Santa Claus rode into town on a golf cart on Saturday afternoon.

Yes, golf cart. The Bridges Golf and Country Club held its "First Annual Santa Saturday at the Bridges" on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in conjunction with Toys for Tots, Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club and Voices for Children. The event was held to help raise enough money and toys to provide underprivileged children a Merry Christmas.

Margaret Mocko, office manager at the Bridges, said the event came about when she began discussing ways to work with charities during Christmas with a club member.

"We just thought we could do more and now we are," Mocko said. "We're going to continue to do this and it's going to get bigger and better."

As part of the festivities, The Bridges welcomed Santa Claus, who met with children and took pictures. Attendees also had the opportunity to play all kinds of games, buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win tickets to today's Harlem Globetrotters alumni event Sunday being held at Montrose High and purchase a hot dog for lunch. All of the proceeds went directly to the three charities.

In addition, 10 percent of every sale made at the Bridges pro shop went to the charities.

In hopes of raising more awareness of the event, the Bridges got together with radio station 94.1 The Blast. Jim Kapp, 94.1 radio personality, broadcasted live from the Bridges reminding listeners there were still toys needed by Toys For Tots to make sure every child got a gift on Christmas day.

"I love helping kids and helping anyway I can," Kapp said during a break from his broadcast.

Contact Matt Lindberg via e-mail at mlindberg@montrosepress.com