Manassas Mall will host Santa Cares on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 8 – 10 a.m., welcoming children with special needs to a photo environment that supports their sensory, physical and developmental needs. The sensory-friendly event is designed to take place prior to regular mall hours to lessen behavioral triggers associated with malls at this bustling season of the year.
The nationally recognized Santa Cares event will take place at the Santa Photo Experience in JCPenney Court, as a result of a partnership between AbilityPath.org, a national online resource hub and special needs community and The Noerr Programs, a leading marketing and digital imaging company providing the Santa and Bunny Photo Experience at malls nationwide.
Malls take great care to build a sensory friendly environment for children with special needs. They open during private hours and create a calmer atmosphere by turning down the lights, turning off the music and fountains, and allowing families to sit in a waiting area instead of in line. These adjustments provide a calmer sensory-friendly environment and allow children and their families to have their own special magical moment with Santa.
“Each year, we receive heartfelt notes from parents and grandparents expressing their appreciation for a magical moment because of the Santa Cares program,” said Sheryl Young CEO of AbilityPath. “Many parents tell us they settled with the fact that they’d never have a picture of their child with Santa. AbilityPath was created so parents of children with special needs would never need to settle, and giving every child a special moment with Santa is one example of our commitment to that promise.” said Young.
“We are thrilled to be the venue for this incredible event,” said Kelly Gilfether, Director of Marketing at Manassas Mall. “Santa Cares brings joy to children with specials needs in our community, and it is truly an honor to be involved in this program.”
“Santa Cares fulfills our dream of providing a comforting and physically accommodating experience for families with children that have special needs,” said Judy Noerr, co-chief executive officer of The Noerr Programs. “We appreciate the participation of Manassas Mall in expanding this program, allowing more families to share the magic and tradition of the holidays.”
The private event begins at 8:00 a.m. and continues until 10:00 a.m. local standard times at Manassas Mall when the mall opens to the general public. Families are encouraged to RSVP prior to the event at Abilitypath.org.
In addition to a numbering system, social stories and activities to avoid waiting in line, participating families will be able to receive four complimentary Christmas photo cards with their purchase of a Santa’s Favorite Photo Package during the event.
