Kids spend 'extra special' day with Santa

Credit: Regan Hill photo

By: Bethany Fuller | Statesville Record & Landmark
Published: December 12, 2009

BARIUM SPRINGS — About 100 upturned faces anxiously looked at Santa Claus on Friday awaiting their bag of goodies.
In the middle of the crowd on the lawn across from Barium Springs YMCA, Santa, played by Darren Deal, greeted each child attending the Christmas party with a bag of donated gifts.
The children — from the Barium Springs Home for Children Family Child Development program and More at Four — were excited to see Merry Old Saint Nick. David Scott Meadows, 4, needed to tell Santa exactly what he wanted Santa's elves to work on during the next two weeks.
He said he kept forgetting to remind Santa that he wanted a toy that talks, an airplane and toy "pinchers" construction equipment.
This is the second Christmas party the group of volunteers, including Deal and his wife Tricia, arranged for the kids.
More At Four teacher Wavel Rankin said the children in her class were really excited about the party and seeing Santa. It's a good thing for them, she said.
This year, more of the 2 and 3-year-olds attended, she said.
"It makes their day," Rankin said.
Darren Deal said several people donated toys this year, and organizers hoped each child would receive two to three items a piece.
"This is really a small group of people who came together to make a difference," he said. "The reason we did this is for the children."
Before he got dressed up, Deal had a chance to witness some of the frolicking by the preschoolers. They were bouncing in the large dragon and castle provided by Old Time Concessions or sitting transfixed by the magical wonders of "Mr. Marvel," who is known to others as Chris Benfield.
Zachary Trudelle, 4, and Andrew Moore, 5, said they enjoyed the slides.
Andrew's grandmother Murphey Wellman said it was nice that the volunteers took the time to plan the event, especially during hard economic times.
It is a good way to get all the children together, said Barium Springs Behavioral Tech Assistant Teacher Chrystal Ingersoll.
"Their teachers are always planning nice things," she said. "This is extra special for them. It's freeing for them."
Even without the magic and jumping, the little ones were having a good time sliding in their socks on the glossy surface of the Barium Springs YMCA basketball court.
Barium Springs Event Manager Tamara Johnson said the Deals and their friends arrange every thing, and keep the event moving.
"All we do is come and have a good time," she said.

Kids spend 'extra special' day with Santa

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