LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Hundreds of children had a chance to receive Christmas gifts and say hello to Santa Claus during the annual “Toys for Kids” gift giveaway on Saturday.

Congressman Mike Thompson, who launched the annual effort nearly two decades ago, was on hand for the gift distribution, which was held at Lower Lake High School Saturday afternoon.

Thompson and the Toys for Kids Board of Directors work together each year to make sure that the community's underprivileged children have gifts at Christmas.

Toys and money are donated, as is time from volunteers who prepare the gifts and organize the giveaway event.

The group reported Saturday that approximately 407 children received gifts during the giveaway.

The children also got a chance to visit with Santa Claus and were treated to cookies made by Chef Robert Cabreros, who teaches in the Yuba College Culinary Arts program.

In the video above, learn more about the event and the people who made it happen this year.

Video by John Jensen.