Almost 700 toys were donated during the Jingle Bell 5k and 1k event Nov. 22 at Sartell’s Medical Plaza.
It was the 17th annual Jingle Bell event, which raises funds and toys for the local Toys for Tots program, which distributes toys to children throughout central Minnesota.
This year, St. Cloud Orthopedic in Sartell hosted the event. About 44 runners took part in the 5k run and 60, including many children, enjoyed the 1k event.
Santa Claus put in an appearance to cheer the runners on, and the weather for the 8:30 a.m. work-out felt almost warm after the blast of cold, snowy weather earlier that week.
A group of runners pauses for a photo at the Jingle Bell 5k fundraiser for Toys for Tots Nov. 22 at Sartell’s Medical Plaza. From left to right are Emily Ruhla, Minneapolis; Hannah Plantenberg, St. Joseph; Santa Claus, North Pole; Krystal Sweeter, Sartell; Andrea Telega, St. Cloud; and Emma Plantenberg, St. Joseph. Emma and Hannah are twin sisters.