Portland - Before starting his deliveries around the world, Santa made a quick visit to kids at Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland Monday morning.

The big man in red, and his elf "Dennis," stopped by to ask children what they want for Christmas and hand out gifts.

Parents say while spending Christmas in the hospital isn't ideal, they're incredibly grateful for Santa and the many donors in the community that help make this day happen.

Maine Medical Center's Child Life Coordinator, Sherisse Wormell, says often the kids are concerned Santa won't know they're not at home so having him stop by always lifts spirits. "We think its really important that they take part in normal activities like if they were at home or in their communities so it's a really important tradition for kids and we want to continue that for them here."

"These people are wonderful and we really appreciate all they've done and the generosity is amazing," commented Sare Curtis, a mother of a child in the hospital. "People are coming from everywhere, dropping gifts off. I've never seen so much."

Santa also visited children in their hospital rooms, before heading back to the North Pole to get ready for Christmas Eve night!

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