Fourth annual 'Cookies with Santa' at Adele's to benefit Ron Wood Family Resource Center

Thanks to big hearts and the spirit of giving, the fourth annual Cookies with Santa, a benefit for Ron Wood Family Resource Center’s holiday fund, takes place Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Café at Adele’s.

Children of all ages are invited to enjoy hot cider, hot chocolate and cookies, visit with and have their picture taken with Santa, while helping provide Christmas for children in need.

“Cookies with Santa has been so successful each year and this is an organization Karen and I feel strongly about supporting,” said Charlie Abowd, who is chef and co-owner of Café at Adele’s with his wife, Karen. “It grew from the idea that if we all do a little, we can make a huge difference and today, the need is just as great as ever.”

Trent and Laurie Dowell provide the photography, donating their time and printing materials each year. Trent, who has started pursuing his passion for photography full time, is now taking newborn photos for Renown and also does private shoots for families and individuals. He also shoots special events for Nevada’s National Guard, the latest being their Christmas party or as Trent calls it, “a grown-up prom” for service members and their significant others, at Grand Sierra Resort.

“I get so much out of more out of doing Cookies with Santa, than I give,” Trent said. “Sometimes I feel guilty for how much joy I get from participating, and thanks to my wife helping me with the printing, we keep things going pretty smoothly.”

There will be a slight change this year in how photos are done, in order to accommodate demand, Trent said. This year, families will receive their first photo at no cost and on site. Reprints will be available at Trent’s photo site and proceeds from all orders will also be donated to Ron Wood’s holiday fund.

The Dowell Boys – Corey and Randy – return this year to play Christmas carols for those in attendance.
“Thankfully, they were able to arrange their work schedules so they can be there,” Trent said. “They love playing whenever they have the chance, so it’s nice this has worked out.”

And of course, the event wouldn’t be what it is without Northern Nevada’s favorite Santa, Tom Strekal being on hand to visit with the children.

Strekal, who fills this role for The Virginia & Truckee Railroad’s Polar Express and other venues, counts Cookies with Santa as one of his favorites.

“I look forward to it every year because it is an opportunity to establish a connection with the kids,” he said. “Even on The Polar Express, there may be a grumpy teenager who doesn’t want to be there and I get them to see it doesn’t hurt to smile or make the bell ring.”

He loves Cookies with Santa in large part, because there are no time pressures on the children.
“We are able to deal with them on their terms and in their time,” Tom said. “And I don’t think I ever ask what they want for Christmas; we talk about other things.

“I feel very fortunate to have been asked to do this in the beginning, as being Santa has revealed things about myself to myself I had not known before.”

Everyone is invited to celebrate the spirit of the season and make this a wonderful time of year for a special child.
“You know, we all get so much joy out of this and I would like the community to know how much Charlie gives,” Trent said. “I don’t think they know how much he helps our community and the difference that makes.”

Admission is $5 for adults and free for children. And every adult is asked to bring an unwrapped gift to be donated to help in assuring all children have a gift this year.

Café at Adele’s is located at 1112 N. Carson St., Carson City. For more information, visit adelesrestaurantandlounge.com or call 775-882-3353.