Children from the St Laurence Children’s Haven were in for a treat on Friday, November 29, when Santa came to visit with gifts and treats for everyone.
Santa visited from the North Pole on the back of a trailer provided especially for the occasion by the Horison Block Watch, since Rudolph and his fellow reindeer called in sick.
He arrived in a big procession of vehicles with lights flashing, hooters, sirens, and Christmas music blaring.
According to block watch member Yolandi Bawden, she and other members volunteered as Elves in Santa’s factory this year, helping to make gifts, especially for the children of St Laurence.
These included a set of comfy PJs, some essentials for school, a toy, delicious treats, and more.
“Each child received a personalised goodie bag filled to the brim with gifts,” she says, and elaborates, “Their PJs were made exactly to size and each child’s gift was made only after careful consultation with Santa and Mrs Claus.”
Santa gave each child their gift – and a big hug – and stayed for a short visit before departing so as to not be late for his many other appointments.
His chariot, an extensively decorated trailer fitted with dazzling Christmas lights and fitted with a state-of-the-art sound system that can only play Christmas songs, did a tour throughout Horison, spreading cheer and treats as far as it went.
“The block watch is determined to make this the best Christmas ever,” says Yolandi, who along with a team of highly dedicated members, pulled out all the stops to arrange the visit and the gifts.
She adds that Santa graciously gave up his Saturday night as well to continue where he left off on Friday, driving in a large procession through the streets of Horison, handing out sweet treats to all the little ones that had been good throughout the year.
