December 24, 2008 — Santa, two live toy soldiers and a handful of others sang Christmas carols and handed out candy and hot chocolate in downtown Lorain at lunchtime Tuesday, raising more than $150 for the .

The Joe Skodny family, 's Mike Challender, the Rev. Bradley J. Donahue of , downtown office workers and others gathered at noon in front of Lorain City Hall and braved a windchill of 5 degrees for the hour.

Skodny, who with his family has helped beautify and decorate the corner of Broadway and Erie Avenue across from City Hall as well other areas downtown and around Lorain, said the event was planned to "bring some more goodwill and positive energy to our downtown area."

The purpose of his projects and Tuesday's caroling were "so that people can enjoy and be proud that they are driving through Lorain for that moment," Skodny said.