OFS turns headquarters into Christmas wonderland

ByMatthew Crane Reading Time: 4 minutes
Two-year-old Aidan Schwindel was thrilled to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus during OFS’s special holiday celebration held Wednesday evening. Photos by Matthew Crane.

OFS Headquarters in Huntingburg held three floors of Christmas fun for the company’s employees and their children Wednesday evening.

A Christmas candy shop featuring a cotton candy machine with volunteer elves spinning fine sugary strands for the children was the first area to greet the guests. Another area held fun games with prizes. Upstairs, the winter wonderland continued into the marketing department’s rendition of the “Island of Misfit Toys” where the children were invited to decorate homemade Christmas ornaments.

Sunny Julian, 4, attempted to reach over a large Plinko board to drop a coin. Children were invited to drop the coins from the top. They would bounce down the pegs and land in a slot labeled “naughty” or “nice”. Regardless of which slot they ended up in, each child was given a prize.

The company’s café held a buffet of brownies (chocolate mint that several guests remarked were delicious), and plenty of cookies and cake balls all washed down with hot chocolate served with a bit of whip cream or marshmallows by happy, volunteer elves.

Hudson Combs, 3, decorated a homemade Christmas tree ornament while talking with his grandma, Deb Combs.

Santa’s post office included a typewriter where Mr. Claus was working on the naughty and nice list when he wasn’t greeting boys and girls. A group of elves helped children write and decorate a letter to Santa before it was dropped in a special mailbox.

Aaron Peters helped out his son, Bryce, 7, as he addressed a letter to Santa Claus Wednesday evening. Kids dropped the letters into a special mailbox after finishing.

Downstairs, Mr. and Mrs. Claus held court taking time to talk to each child asking them what they would like for Christmas.

From left, Crystal Neukam, Barb Meyer, and Tina Huddleston lined up to take photos of their children and grandchildren (Ardyn Larson, 10, Bea Larson, 9, and Tehya Neukam, 13) with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

After visiting Santa, the children had opportunities to climb in a special sleigh for photos, step into a couple of rooms where Christmas cartoons and movies were playing or hit the snack bar again.

Coordinated by the Directions Team, this is the third year the headquarters building has been decorated and the second year it was open for the employees and children to roam through.

“The first year started as a team-building event and we did such a good job we decided it would be cool to open to the kids and it took off from there,” said Trish Neukam, head of the Directions Team and OFS Employment Coordinator.

About 300 children went through the Christmas wonderland Wednesday evening.

“I think everyone did have a wonderful time — even the adults — and the sparkle in the kids eyes and smiles on their faces (even though it might be sugar related) sure helps put everyone in the Christmas spirit,” Neukam said.

Jarod Brames dressed up as Yukon Cornelius, the pickaxe wielding miner in the classic Christmas special, ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’. His beard was crocheted by his 10-year-old daughter, Arden.

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One Comment

  1. Congratulations to OFS and Employees for such a wonderful treat for youngsters and young at heart of all ages. It’s more fun to give than receive, and you proved it again with your Gifts and Time. Merry Christmas to you all. jca

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