POLSON — Christmas came a week early for about 80 Lake County children because Polson’s Nancy Hausermann spent the last 1.5 months turning a cabin into Santa’s workshop and filling it with toys for Lake County children in need. Last Saturday was a special evening for children and their families who were treated to a horse-drawn sleigh ride to the North Pole before spending a few special minutes with Santa, earning a freshly-baked cookie from Mrs. Claus and an armful of presents tagged with each of their names from Hausermann and her elves.

Jingling bells echoed through the night as Polson’s Gary Ivory provided the sleigh rides through the snow, which dusted the Mission Valley just in time for the event.

“I saw him do the downtown carriage rides and I said, ‘Who is that? I need to find him,’” Hausermann said of Ivory.

Gathering gifts for 80 children, most of whom she’s never met, was not a simple task for Hausermann, who runs a local children’s service group and works regularly with troubled youth who are required to do community service.

“My kids are all grown up and it took some effort to figure out what toys the kids would want,” she said.

Raising the money to buy the presents was a different story all together.

“It all came from yard sale leftovers,” Hausermann said. “The churches association and various businesses helped out, but this year it’s been tough for everyone and they weren’t able to give as much.”

A bargain shopper and thrift sale queen, Hausermann was able to collect, wrap and give out a gift for every child who walked through her door. The invite list was compiled mainly from Hausermann’s contacts at Lake County Child and Family Services and through word of mouth.

“You hear of families who need a helping hand for Christmas,” she said. “This is the first year we’ve done it, and next year, we want to throw a huge Christmas party, too.”

Whether a big party or intimate conversation with Santa Claus, 80 children had a Merry Christmas this year.