Secret Santa

This year the Claremont Community College will provide presents, entertainment and a visit from Santa for over 150 deserving children. Santa will be arriving at the Citizens Business Bank Arena on Wednesday December 11 to wish the children well. The evening begins at 6pm and each family will be leaving with gifts, resources and a picture with Santa. (Santa will arrive at 7PM.)

The families are selected through the Salvation Army and are grateful for the community’s generosity.

More than 30 volunteers helped to wrap gifts for this event.

The Secret Santa Event began in 2001 with local residents helping one family with 12 children. Santa and his elves came to their house with a Christmas tree, food and gifts. The following year the event served three families. In subsequent years the event grew to five families then fifteen and then sixty families and 150 children. The event is now held at the Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Toys are carefully selected. The group’s philosophy is that the child should do more than the toy! So there are no video games or electronic gadgets. Puppets, art sets and wooden trains are the types of gifts that are favored..

To maximize their buying power, the group orders toys from the manufacturers at very reduced prices.

And addition to gifts for the kids, they provide grocery gift cards for the parents so that they can enjoy the holidays.

Many local students have volunteered this year to help with the event. Their assignments include taking pictures, wrapping gifts, helping Santa and welcoming the children.

The Claremont Community College is a non profit 501(c)3 organization. The group puts on events throughout the year including the Claremont 5 Second Invitational Film Festival. Donations are tax deductible.

For further information, contact Vince Turner at vince@schoolbiz.com