POULSBO — Danny “Father Christmas” Fritts was suffering from a cold, but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for the success of the 2016 Poulsbo Father Christmas fundraising efforts on behalf of North Kitsap Fishline.

“We made more money and got more food donated for Fishline than ever before,” Fritts said. His efforts helped raise $1,596.89 along with several hundred pounds of donated food.

Last Christmas marked his fourth year playing Father Christmas. The Father Christmas house in Historic Downtown Poulsbo opened the Friday after Thanksgiving and was open every weekend and on Christmas Eve. Visitors made donations of food and cash.

“The kids loved me as Father Christmas,” Fritts said. “I think it’s because I have a real beard.”