Children pose for a photo in front of a replica of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial during the ARHA Winter Wonderland Dec. 13 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.
Santa, Mrs. Claus and volunteer elves from the North Pole were on hand as the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority hosted its 15th annual Santa’s Winter Wonderland Dec. 13 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.
Community volunteers joined Santa and ARHA staff in distributing toys and celebrating the holiday spirit with ARHA families. The Winter Wonderland is designed to ensure that every child has at least one gift for the holidays.
“Over the next two days we will serve over 1,000 kids and give out over 1.200 toys,” said ARHA CEO Erik Johnson. “Sometimes this is the only Christmas these kids will get so it’s important for us to serve and spread some joy to our residents.”
The event began with an awards ceremony for event partners and sponsors: Partnership awardees included Mayor Justin Wilson, ARHA Board member Willie Bailey, Toys for Tots, and SoHo (Space of Her Own, Inc.).
Toys were distributed among models of historic buildings in Alexandria, including the George Washington Masonic National Memorial and City Hall.
“We will be giving away $60,000 of toys and gifts but we need $100,000 in toys and gifts to meet the need,” Johnson said. “Hopefully we can meet that need in our 16th year.”
A young girl visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the ARHA Winter Wonderland Dec. 13 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.