ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - Santa Claus was accompanied by Mrs. Claus, who helped him take pictures with the fortunate children who had received…

In one of Wednesday's workshops, middle schoolers heard from an LCC graduate on working towards their goals. Martyce Kimbrough graduated in 2014, and from the University of Findlay in 2018. Now, he plays professional basketball in Spain. He spoke to students on important things to remember while chasing their own goals. They include keeping faith and believing in themselves. These are mindsets he has kept during his career and is happy to spread them to the next generation of students.

St. Charles Catholic School held a parade for one of its own Thursday afternoon. Physical Education Teacher Pat Willoughby was sent off this afternoon to celebrate her 45 years of teaching at the school. Alongside fellow staff members, friends, and former students, they walked the 5K Positive Addiction Route as others cheered them on holding signs on the side of the road. While she is looking forward to retirement, she said it will be strange not returning to work in the fall.

Friday afternoon, St. Charles Catholic School hosted its 37th annual Positive Addiction Race, but with a twist. The Positive Addiction Week originated in 1983 as a way to teach kids about positive addictions as opposed to negative addictions such as drugs and alcohol. At the end of the week, a 5K is held, but due to the restrictions put in place by the state, the event had to be held virtually, with a car parade at the school following the race. Kids were encouraged to wear the yellow and red Positive Addiction shirts they were given to show school spirit. The parade was held for teachers to see their students, providing them with the motivation to get through the rest of the school year and encourage those positive addictions.

Some young children are timid around creepy critters, but not the kindergartners at St. Charles. It was bug exploration day for those students on Wednesday, put on by Allen County Soil and Water. Samples from the Ottawa River were brought in and the students went through finding, identifying and classifying different bugs found in the river. The lesson gives them a hands-on approach to learning the river is more than just water, that it's alive and they have an impact on it.

Lima Catholic Schools parents put their money where their kids are at the annual Bid for Our Kids fundraiser. The annual event raises money to help Lima Central Catholic and St. Charles cover costs for things that aren't necessarily in the budget for the school like new security features and technology. It also brings parents from both schools together in a way that aren't usually able to.

Making sure everyone is involved and not left behind is the goal of a nationwide program coming to lunchrooms around the country. St. Charles Catholic School is once again participating in "No One Eats Alone", a lunchtime school event that makes sure that all students are connecting with each other.