Who Says Elves Don’t Have Any Fun?

If watching them jingle jogging through a Zumba routine, helping little ones cross the finish line in the Reindeer Dash or running in the 5K themselves wasn’t proof enough that it’s not all work and no play for elves at this time of the year, then nothing will convince you. A slew of elves, joined by Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Chick-fil-A Elf cow and even the Brotherhood of the Sith Spir Star Wars Team were on hand to make Saturday’s 7th Annual Jingle Jog in Loganville the best one yet. In previous years it’s been held at but for the first time this year it was at Loganville High School.

“We have simply outgrown the park... what a great problem to have,” said Families of Autism/Asperger's Care, Educate and Support  (F.A.C.E.S.) of Walton County founder Teresa Johnson. Funds raised by the Jingle Jog go toward the F.A.C.E.S. and Stone Soup summer camp for children of all abilities.

Before and during the races, children were able to line up to see Santa, mingle with the characters on hand and play in Santa’s Playland. Activities in Santa’s Playland included . Bouncer and slide, cupcake decorating, cotton candy, facepainting, crafts from Home Depot and other fun child friendly activities.

At the request of Johnson, attendees brought along toys to help replace those stolen last week from Faith in Serving Humanity.

“We had a tremendous response at Jingle Jog today,” Johnson wrote on her Facebook page after Saturday’s event. “Two very large boxes full of toys for FISH! Thanks to all who brought toys.”

If you missed Saturday’s event, make sure to mark your calendar for next year. The date has already been set.

“Dec 14, 2013. Bigger and better,” Johnson wrote on her Facebook page, adding “More team leaders wanted.”

Being a volunteer for Jingle Jog might be a lot of hard work, but it sure looks like a fun gig too. It was hard to find a volunteer elf without a big smile on his or her face.

If you have a photo of a runner, an elf or anyone else from the Jingle Jog you would like to share, please upload it and we will add it to our gallery from Saturday's 7th Annual Jingle Jog.