“Santa will be here in about five minutes. Are you ready for him?”

A resounding “Yeah!” filled Braden Hall Saturday morning as many kids and their parents waited for a glimpse of the jolly man in the red suit.

When Santa did arrive for the Children’s Christmas Tree Fund, he ran down the aisle, waving, and children laughed and clapped.

Then came the most important part of the day, as toys — arranged in big brown bags according to age and gender — were passed out to kids who really appreciated them.

The event was sponsored by the Santa Claus Committee. Co-chairman Johnny Byrne said the committee was formed in 1928, when a “group of men decided all children should have Christmas.” Today, the group is made up of about 350 members, still with the same objective.

They use part of their dues, as well as donations, to give to the Natchez Children’s Home, Pleasant Acres Day School, the Sunshine Shelter, the Guardian Shelter, the Salvation Army and the Children’s Christmas Tree Fund to make sure children as many children as possible have a meaningful Christmas.

“It’s an honor to be able to do this,” said Byrne. “It really brings tears to your eyes. It’s nice to see grown men let down their guard and enjoy Christmas with kids.”

The kids who received gift bags Saturday were chosen by Catholic Charities, Byrne said.

The kids walked out the auditorium picking through their bag and smiling.

Hunter Bailey, 9, showed off his water gun, a new shirt, and an 18-piece battleship set, but his eyes really lit up when he found a bag of candy. He said he planned to go straight home to play with his new toys.

Wendy Williams walked out with her hands full of two bags and two little girls, a 1 and 2 year old.

“I’m not going to let them play right away,” Williams said.

“I’ll wait so they’ll have them for Christmas.”

Demarquiez Carter, 6, shuffled through his race cars, action figures, a tool set and transformers. But he said what he really liked was getting to see Santa.

“That’s what it’s all about, to see the looks on the kids’ faces,” said Santa Claus Committee member Robert Sizemore.

The committee also made its way to the Natchez Children’s Home, and Santa passed out candy to children in several neighborhoods.