FLATLANDS — It was the perfect storm: the first accumulating snowfall of the season on the first day of winter, followed by a visit from Santa Claus the next day commemorating the Kings Plaza/Canarsie Kiwanis’ annual Winter Wonderland event. 

Orchestrated by the Kings Plaza/Canarsie Kiwanis Club, Winter Wonderland is in its fifth year of providing toys to needy children with food, drinks and games, including a visit from Santa (Kiwanian Richard Schweid).

The event, which took place on Saturday, Dec. 21, at St. Thomas Aquinas Sports (1501 Hendrickson St.), accommodated approximately 100 children between the ages of three and 12.

“Kiwanians look to meet the needs of the community they serve,” newly-installed Lt. Governor Mark Pohl told the Brooklyn Eagle. “Giving back to the kids and the community is what it’s all about here,” noting that hundreds of toys from the Kings Plaza/Canarsie Kiwanis Club were brought in at this year’s event.