HTC to public: This is Santa, connect with him

Santa Claus has once again gotten into the Christmas spirit early and will be helping collect non-perishable foods to help replenish local food banks and charitable organizations, which have been strained during the recent flooding that left so many with nothing, or very little.

Carrying on a Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC) tradition, HTC is bringing Santa Claus back this year to provide wonderful memories for some children and families, whether those memories come in the form of a picture with Santa to cherish forever or a good meal for those in need of food. Santa will be posing for pictures in exchange for non-perishable food so every little boy and girl, and their families, can eat well during this holiday season and beyond.

Santa Claus will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. on the following days and locations. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, Santa will pose for pictures with HTC members and residents in the community at the HTC store at 3480 Highway 701 North, Conway. On Thursday, Dec. 8, he will be at the HTC store at 2201 Highway 501 (Across from Horry Georgetown Technical College.) One Tuesday. Dec. 13, he will be at the Pine Island Store across from Coastal Grand Mall at 1768 Pine Island Road, Myrtle Beach.

No appointment is necessary. A 4-by-6-inch photos will be printed on-site and placed in a photo frame. An electronic version of the photo will be emailed for members and visitors to save or share. Each parent or guardian must complete photo/video release forms.

All non-perishable food items collected will benefit local food banks and charitable organizations throughout the area. All photos will automatically be entered in the HTC Facebook page Photo Contest and prizes will be awarded to the photos with the most “likes” and “shares.”

“HTC is proud to celebrate this holiday tradition in our stores this year and provide sentimental memories with Santa that will last a lifetime. Bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the HTC food drive, and Santa Claus will pose for photos and hear holiday wish lists from good girls and boys,” said Brent Groome, HTC Chief Executive of Marketing, Economic, and Strategic Initiatives. “All food items collected will be donated to local food banks. Photos will automatically be entered in the Photo Contest on the HTC Facebook page, and winners will receive prizes.”

If you can’t give there, you can give to numerous other organizations that help, including the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, Cherry Hill Baptist Church at 504 Church St. in Conway. Churches Assisting People in Conway or the Low Country Food Bank, where you can donate in honor or in memory of someone and every dollar donated provides six meals for hungry children, hardworking families and struggling seniors.”

You may contact the Low Country Food Bank at 97 S. Broadway, Myrtle Beach, which distributes to numerous other charities. Phone 448-0481.

This story was originally published November 30, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "HTC to public: This is Santa, connect with him."