Special Santa program kicks off Festival of Trees

Valley Life editor

Christmas is coming early to the Cottonwood Creek Mall, as trees are being decorated by a host of businesses and organizations this week as part of the Special Santa program's Festival of Trees program.

The Special Santa program, which operates under Kids Are People, Inc., is launching the Festival of Trees for the first time. This week, individuals from businesses and organizations are decorating 20 trees at the mall, and the trees will be raffled off on Saturday.

The program helps raise money for the Special Santa program in two ways -- businesses donate $250 to decorate the trees, and then the raffle proceeds go to the program as well.

"We had a gentleman suggest the idea. I guess they do it down in the Lower 48, and it sounded like a good idea," Mari Jo Parks, the coordinator for the Special Santa program, said.

The money raised helps make sure children have gifts at Christmas, who otherwise might go without. Now in its eighth year, the program has grown exponentially -- last year, they helped give the gift of Christmas to more than 2,300 children and 811 families.

Children and families are referred to the program by agencies, schools, the Toys for Tots program (which works closely with the Special Santa program throughout the year), The Salvation Army and food banks.

Throughout November and December, volunteers will be collecting toys and coordinating efforts.

The program is always looking for any kind of toys, as well as clothing, personal items, household items, art supplies, sports equipment, gift cards or certificates, books. Gift cards are also appreciated.

"There is no donation that is too small," Parks said. "We appreciate everything."

For more information about the Festival of Trees, or about the Special Santa program in general, interested people can call 761-3770.