(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The children and families that were calling the Ronald McDonald House their home for the holidays got to celebrate a bit early with a holiday party on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

The big man himself, Santa Clause made an appearance, arriving on his big sleigh driven by the Colorado Springs Fire Department Station 19 crew. Santa and Mrs. Claus then spent one-on-one time with the children and their families and handed out gifts.

Ronald McDonald House gives families a place to stay while their children get treatment at hospitals.

“When they’re dealing with sometimes some really scary diagnoses or some treatments that are really difficult to undergo. This is just a little piece of magic that really helps them to feel like they are not alone and that they are not isolated. You can hear the sound behind me. There’s so many families and everyone is celebrating together and it really is just beautiful.”

Ronald McDonald House doesn’t charge families for their stay at the house, no matter how long they have stayed at the house, even for years.