Hundreds of Calgary families received a surprise visit from Santa Claus and his volunteer elves on Christmas Eve.

The Magic of Christmas convoy of 18 Calgary Transit buses delivered thousands of gifts and turkey dinners to appreciative Calgarians throughout the city.

"Today, we are going to be mobilizing 500 volunteers to 500 family homes,” explained Clayton Busher, Magic of Christmas V.P. “We are also doing 21 care facilities and care homes and shelters, and also the four major hospitals."

Magic of Christmas say donations were down in 2014 but a record amount of volunteer elves showed up to help with deliveries.