LA VERNIA, Texas - Santa Claus surprised children to a La Vernia daycare following the shooting in Sutherland Springs.

Joann Ward and two of her daughters died inside the First Baptist Church there last month. Ward was a substitute teacher at Grandma's House Daycare Center. Her daughters, Brooke Ward and Emily Garcia, were students.

Friday Dec.15, Santa brought a bag of presents to brighten the daycare's holiday.

"I explained to my daughter and other students that this holiday is not just about celebrating Jesus Christ but it's about celebrating the lives of those who aren't with us anymore," Amanda Tatum of Grandma's House said.

Ward's two other children survived the mass shooting. Ryland remains in a San Antonio hospital while another daughter is staying with family.