To the Editor:

The first annual Crystal Lake Kiwanis Club’s Santa Run for Kids was an amazing and inspiring experience on Dec. 2. The club would like to thank everyone who participated, volunteered and came out to support the event. An especially big “thank you” goes to Mike Splitt, who suggested the idea and led the committee to a very successful result!

At 9 a.m. Sunday, more than 700 participants lined up on Williams Street dressed in either a Santa suit to run or walk the 5k or wore antlers for the 1-mile event. The weather was better than we could have asked for December, and the turnout was higher than estimated. The festive atmosphere, excitement and apprehension was a joy to experience!