Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Santa Claus — Bradley Curtis of Lake Linden — delivers the answer to a Thanksgiving riddle to Janet Dudenas at Louie’s Fresh Market in Lake Linden Saturday morning. Curtis, a member of the Knights of Columbus, was helping out with the Knights’ annual fundraiser for the Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly’s senior firewood program.

LAKE LINDEN — A Copper Country winter is too long a time to go without warmth.

The Torch Lake Knights of Columbus are doing their part to keep seniors comfortable during the coldest parts of the year. The group held their annual Turn on the Heat fundraiser Friday and Saturday at Louie’s Fresh Market in Lake Linden.

All money donated during the event goes to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly’s firewood program. Seniors who heat their house with firewood and meet the program’s requirements will get loads of wood — already cut and split — to help get them through the winter and cut down on their expenses.

“Basically, for me, it’s giving back to the community, to help support them,” said Knights member Bradley Curtis.

In a normal year, they typically raise around $1,400, Curtis said.

Knights members volunteered in two-hour shifts manning the booth at Louie’s Fresh Market from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Curtis pulled a double shift Saturday, when he visited the store as Santa Claus. Families were invited to swing by and grab a photo.

Santa gave those who donated a free Tootsie Pop, and a joke to send them on their way home.

“I’m here with my funny riddles or questions, something like that to try to lighten up the mood a little bit,” he said, accentuating the holiday cheer with the clatter of bells on his sleeves.. “I know it’s a little early for Santa, so I’ve got a couple of Thanksgiving riddles.”

For instance: What do you get when you cross the centipede with the turkey?

“Drumsticks for everybody,” Curtis said.