(Above) Santa (left) and Messiah Bender, age four, at a holiday party Wednesday afternoon at Dick’s Last Resort. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

December 13, 2012 – Tradition continued on Wednesday as 75 children from elementary schools on the Near North Side of Chicago were treated to food, gifts, caroling, and time with Santa at a holiday party hosted by Dick’s Last Resort. This was Dick’s 24th year as host and the fifth year the annual event has been at Marina City.

Community volunteers and members of the Chicago Police Department’s 18th district selected the children. The district’s new commander, William Dunn, attended the event, which was serenaded by carolers from VanderCook College of Music. Also appearing was Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

(Above) Santa reaches for a “high five” with one of 75 Near North children at a holiday party hosted by Dick’s Last Resort.

“To me this is what Christmas is all about,” said Dan Reynolds, general manager of Dick’s Last Resort. “Seeing kids have a hot meal, and get presents and see Santa, that’s what Christmas is. These are the days I like coming to work. You know you’re helping people.”

Between employees working on their own time and family members of the general manager, Dick’s put together all 75 gift bags.

(Below) 18th district police commander William Dunn (right), Secretary of State Jesse White, and Kathy Posner, who helped organize the event.