The Boys and Girls Club of South Haven had a few extra visitors on Tuesday, December 15th. NorthShore Health Centers came to spread Christmas joy and they brought Santa Claus with them.
The entire community was invited to come visit Santa. NorthShore Health Centers, the Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition, and Geminus Headstart set up booths with games and prizes. The longest line was for Father Christmas himself.
For Richard Johnston and his daughters, it was their first visit to the Club.
“We came to see Santa,” he explained. “This gives them a chance to believe in Santa. A lot of kids don’t.”
It was also a chance for him to see the Club he had heard so much about.
The Boys and Girls Club is open to kids in the neighborhood every afternoon of the school week. They provide a place to do schoolwork, a gymnasium to play in, free snacks, and several recreation rooms suitable for children of different age groups. It is a safe place for students to convene after school.
Visiting parents could also learn about the sponsors of Santa’s visit. Shelby Myers, the Program Assistant for Geminus Headstart, spoke for her table and the organization when she said,
“We want to reach out to the community, to get the word out about our preschool program. It has a curriculum, it’s not a daycare. We want to share that with the families.”
Ryan Singh of the Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition said he was there “to educate the parents and youth about the dangers of tobacco. And to have fun with the kids and Santa. We’re even giving out prizes.”
Every child got to visit with Santa. They got their picture taken, were given a candy cane, and got to choose a book from the 450 different ones that Dunesbrook donated along with hot chocolate supplied by Starbucks. NorthShore set up a photo booth by a pretend fireplace, and two rows of tables for crafts. Kids were able to make candy cane ornaments and marshmallow snowmen.
Santa has been visiting the Boys and Girls Club for years.
“When I leave here,” he said, “It takes twenty minutes for me to get through one room. Children give me hugs and letters. For that feeling… there is no replacement.”
Club Director Ron Ranta was glad to have these holiday visitors. It means more parents get to see the services available to them, and the kids get to experience even holiday fun and spirit.
“It’s wonderful that NorthShore is here with Santa to promote their opportunities as well as our ours, opportunities that help the community. Everyone is so excited. It’s just so great that we can partner up and be community minded.”