A Santa Experience To Cherish
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

A Santa Experience To Cherish

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Spending the day playing Santa at Penfield’s Children’s Center wasn’t at all what I pictured in my mind, it was so much more.

This was the first time the center had had a Santa visit and the response was overwhelming!  As the children settled in to talk with me about their Christmas wishes, I took in all the parents’ faces and could feel that this was one of those real family moments they would cherish forever.

Many of the young kids didn’t even realize what Santa was all about, but the parents and siblings certainly took advantage of the rare moment to get photographed together as a family with Santa.  For many it would be their only opportunity for a family picture.

You see, the families who come to Penfield are 94% from below poverty levels, with about 56% in extreme poverty.  Over 80% of the children have special needs, making an even bigger challenge for the parents, especially during the holidays. 

Although my legs may have been exhausted by the end of the day from sitting with so many little ones, the special gift of hope I was able to give back to each child and their family was priceless.