About 40 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Ames got to celebrate Christmas a little early this year, as the men of Lambda Chi Alpha, 203 Ash Ave., and the women of Delta Zeta, 2138 Sunset Drive, hosted their 10th annual holiday party for the club Wednesday evening.

“It’s been a decade of Christmases,” said Marty Lester, program coordinator for the club. “The guys of Lambda Chi do a wonderful job every year. … The kids get excited because they know the big Lambda Chi party is coming.”

The kids started the night with a traditional ham dinner. Afterwards, the club members were entertained by “Terry the Magic Guy.” Following Terry’s performance, Santa and his helpers made their appearances, giving the children gifts donated by the houses.

“It is so worth it when you see the kids’ faces because they are so excited to be here,” said Andrea Jennings, Delta Zeta member and senior in elementary education.

This was 6-year-old Heather Patton’s second year of attending the event. She said her favorite part of the night was the presents.

Lester said the kids enjoy mixing with the ISU students.

“The kids don’t really think I am up to date, but college kids — wow, that’s fun,” Lester said. “They enjoy the atmosphere at the house. The guys deck up the place before the kids get there.”

To top off the night, the Boys & Girls Club was presented with a check for $300. This money was raised earlier this year from the Sorority Grass Volleyball Tournament.

Lester said the money will be used to support more programs in the future, unless the members have a specific area to which they want it applied.

“Some of the kids here don’t have a traditional Christmas. So we are able to supply a Christmas, and these guys make it a memorable event for them,” Lester said. “It is easy for me to talk about it, but when you see the kids’ faces, it is all worth it.”