Ivy Woodling gets ready to bowl with her grandmother, Jennifer Henderson, during the Elks Children's Christmas Party Saturday at Family Bowlaway in Butler Township.

BUTLER TWP — The Butler Elks Children's Christmas Party is a long standing tradition of 25 years within the organization, and it came back strong Saturday afternoon after a year off due to COVID-19.

Elks members, their children and grandchildren attended the event at Family Bowlaway Fun Center, where kids and adults alike were able to bowl, eat, meet Santa and receive a bag of goodies to ring in the season.

Jane Prokopchak, the Elks member who began the event back in the 1990s, said her favorite part of the day is watching the children meet Santa.

“The smiles on the kids' faces when they see Santa is so sweet,” Prokopchak said.Prokopchak said last year's party was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but they're happy to be back. Members of the Elks lodge help raise funds and volunteer yearly to make the event a success and bring Christmas cheer to the kids who attend. According to her, the event has evolved through the years, but the goal of uniting the Elks member's families is the same.“This is a big thing we do,” Prokopchak said. “We planned on 84 kids this year, some have been coming with their families for multiple years.”Children attending were able to bowl with their families, then were ushered to see Santa. They were given a bag full of Christmas treats, including sleighs made out of candy, which Prokopchak said were made and donated by a member of the club.

Cindy Skebe, who was the second woman to join the Butler chapter of the Elks, said she and her granddaughter, Brooke Schramm, have been attending as a family since Brooke was 7 years old.“I just think it's great to bring all the families together,” Skebe said. “All the members donate and everyone likes to do this sort of thing.”Brooke, who's now 14 years old, said she's met new friends from attending every year.“I made a lot of friends in this, so it's been cool to come back and see them,” Brooke said.Donald Miklavic, an Elks member of 57 years, said he and his family have been attending the party since it began, and that part of the Elks mission is fellowship of this kind.“It's for the children, everything is for the children,” Miklavic said.

Zachary Woodling, 5, pushes his bowling ball with his father Michael Woodiling Saturday during the Elks Kiddie Christmas party at Family Bowlaway.

Ivy Woodling,2, pushes her bowling ball with her grand mother Jennifer Henderson watching Saturday during the Elks Kiddie Christmas party at Family Bowlaway.