Mary Pringle (holding baby) and 12 of her children with special needs. (Submitted photo/Val White)

On Saturday, December 17 the South West Florida PODS ANGELS hosted a Christmas party at the LaBelle Women’s Club for local special needs children and their families. The SWFL PODS ANGELS is an organization headed by Mary Pringle who has been providing support to families of special needs children for over 20 years.

Walking into the party was like walking into a winter wonderland. The tables and chairs were draped in snowy white linens, each chair adorned with a bright red Christmas bow. “I grew up in the snow up North and this brings the whole feelings of the Christmases I remember” Mary said.

The ANGELS group provided an opportunity for any family needing support to register to the event, at no cost, and to give information on each of the special needs children planning to attend, along with a list of things each would like to receive for Christmas.

About midway into the lasagna dinner which was served up by a crew of Pringle’s own Christmas Elve’s, Santa himself came bursting through the doors, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Clause, and with a big red bag full of presents that came all the way from his workshop in the North Pole; wrapped and tagged with every child’s name and including gifts that were especially brought for them.

After Santa had a chance to meet with each family he and the Missus left and the night was wrapped up as the tables were cleared and the children danced energetically to the sounds of the DJ!

Mary Pringle moved to the area two years ago and her organization provides year round support for local families. It is her desire to see more awareness come to the families in Hendry County about the help that they can and deserve to receive. You can find out more about the services that the SWFL PODS ANGELS provide at www.swflpodsangels.org