The Moose Jaw District Senior Citizens Association is organizing “An Afternoon with Santa” at Timothy Eaton Gardens to be held on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 1 to 3.30 p.m.
“This is our first time (for this event) and we hope it’s a success,” said Elaine Parsons, secretary on the Board of Directors of Moose Jaw District Senior Citizens Association and events co-ordinator. “We hope lots of parents bring their kids out or kids bring their parents out and have a fun afternoon.”
St. Margaret School's grade 7 and 8 classes have approached the MJ & District Seniors Assoc. to work with the seniors for quite some time and they are very interested to contribute to the community. “They are very happy about working with us on this project,” said Parsons. “We are going to have a Santa Claus, so the kids and their families can talk to Santa and use their phones to take pictures.”
There are also going to be lots of different activities like face painting, a craft table for making Christmas tree ornamentations or colour pictures, a beanbag tossing game, a ‘who nose game’ where children will be blindfolded to pin the nose on the right place and a story corner where Christmas stories will be read.
A very jovial soul himself, longtime Moose Javian Glenn Hagel has agreed to be Santa at the event. Parsons said that when she approached the community for a volunteer to be the one-and-only Santa Claus, over half a dozen people said to ask Glenn. She then phoned him and pitched the idea, and of course, Hagel agreed. Apparently he has a regular Santa Claus costume and has done this for a number of other groups throughout the Christmas season.
“He’s such a good Santa,” Parsons said.
Ottawa Real Estate & Insurance, McCauley Agencies, Century 21, Henderson Insurance Inc. and Royal LePage Landmart have agreed so far to sponsor the event. Their sponsorship will help to buy presents and gifts for the children. These presents will contain a bag full of candies, oranges and other gift items.
Posters for the event have been placed in care homes, downtown businesses, the library, Yara Centre and the Events Centre.
“An Afternoon with Santa” is going to be a children’s event for all ages. There will be games and activities and most importantly pictures with Santa. Kids must bring their parents and grandparents to enjoy this fun afternoon. Tickets can be purchased at the door; cost is $2 for children and $5 for families.
“I hope everybody has a good time,” said Parsons.
