For the 15th year in a row, Christmas came early for the residents of Chateau du Lac.

Each year, representatives from Phillip 66 Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex and students from LaGrange High School, one of Phillips 66’s Partner in Education schools, pay Chateau du Lac a visit to bring “good energy to the community,” said Elizabeth Eustis, social impact advisor for Phillips 66.

“Everybody gets a gift, everybody gets a meal and, of course, everyone has a good time.”

The highlight of the annual holiday celebration is the full Christmas dinner “turkey, ham and all the fixins’,” she said. Elvis made an appearance, and brought up the energy by singing for — and sometimes with — the residents while they ate their meal.

Santa Claus was there, too, and helped pass out this year’s gift, a new beanie hat to “bring a little extra warmth” to residents. Twenty door prizes were also handed out, including “pampering” self-care items — body care kits, foot soaks, massagers — home and kitchen goods — toaster ovens, cast iron skillets and handheld vacuums — and gift cards.

This is a festive day full of “joy, fun and laughs” that they look forward to ringing in the holiday season alongside Chateau du Lac’s residents every year, she said. So much so, they began planning the party in July.   

“Now we cannot think of December without thinking of the Chateau du Lac Christmas lunch.”

Megan Hartman, public relations director for Phillips 66, echoed this sentiment in a release.

“Our employees were excited to come back and look forward to continuing the tradition of spreading some Christmas cheer, fun and fellowship with the residents. It’s nice to be able to lift their spirits and share a meal at this special time of year.”

The residents at Chateau du Lac are primarily elderly and disabled people in the Lake Charles community. Eustis that this population is often overlooked during the holiday season.

“This is a group of residents that are maybe a little forgotten by society, by their families.”

As a part of Phillip 66’s mission to nurture altruism in local youth, the LaGrange students dressed up as elves to help pass out the meals and presents. This is an opportunity to show these students areas in which they can apply their volunteerism.

“We always bring these students with us just to show them that there are some folks in our communities that need some extra love, and service is always a good place to start. … It’s something that we feel is important, as well as the LaGrange administration. … It’s a nice partnership between our partner in education and Phillips 66, but also encompassing the Christmas spirit of everyone coming together and making some happiness.”