PEDRO — The crowd gathered in the Rock Hill Elementary Library on a Monday morning stays surprisingly quiet, but as the arrival draws closer, the volume of the room grows by several decibels.

Then, he arrives.

Santa bursts through the library doors, with several volunteers in tow, carrying stacks of presents. All of the students have special needs, but their adoration for the big guy rivals that of any children their age.

For over an hour, Santa greets the students and gives them their presents, and though some are unable to sit on his lap, few get off without a hug.

Melissa Craycraft organizes the event every year with fellow volunteer Jim Wipert, along with several other members of the Ironton Elks Club.

“It’s something that I always allot part of my year to,” Craycraft said. “My favorite part is when Santa walks through the door, and the kids just freak. I love that.”

Planning for the event begins in early December, when students make up a wish list headed for the North Pole. That’s when Wipert, Craycraft and the Elks swoop in, selecting children and helping Santa out by picking up a few presents.

After the presents are hastily opened, a long table of Christmas goodies awaited them.

Wipert couldn’t stop smiling throughout the event, as he helped students who were unable to carry their haul back to their seats.

“This is the highlight of my whole year, this is Christmas for me,” Wipert said as he surveyed a room of happy children tearing through wrapping paper. “It’s wonderful, how can you not have a great time, and how can you not just love this?”

As the students compared presents, Jeanette McFann, a teacher at the school, said that perhaps the best gift that the students receive is being able to enjoy Christmas like any other child.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” McFann said. “They love it. … It’s wonderful, I don’t think there are enough words to describe it.”