‘Caring Santa’ brings Christmas cheer to special needs kids in Charlotte
At SouthPark mall, Santa’s workshop is usually pretty active around the holidays. But on a recent Sunday morning, it was quiet.
Saint Nick and his helpers were waiting to meet children for a magical event.
Robert Bosche stood patiently in line with his mom, Courtney, for an opportunity to meet Santa.
When it was his turn, Robert greeted Santa, revealed to him what was on his Christmas, and smiled for a photo.
Caring Santa is a private photo experience designed for children who need a sensory-friendly environment. SouthPark partnered with Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy organization, for the event.
To reduce interruptions, each family has their own reservation time to keep lines from becoming overwhelming, and the lighting and music at the mall are reduced to comfortable levels, SouthPark told The Charlotte Observer in an email.
Santa’s helpers at the event are also trained to work with special needs kids.
“Photos with Santa are a tradition that families have enjoyed for decades, but traditional Santa photo experiences prove to be challenging for those with special needs,” SouthPark said . “Inclusive opportunities like Caring Santa allows people of all ages and abilities to enjoy this tradition in a manner that is comfortable and safe, something that many everyday activities don’t account for.”
‘Doing Caring Santa just makes sense’
After attending other holiday events in the past, Ashley and Gabriel Viega took their daughter, Cecilia, and son, Leo, who has autism, to Caring Santa for the first time on Sunday after his therapist recommended it.
“We’ve tried other Santa events in the past, and it was usually a disaster,” Ashley said. “There was a lot of crying and a lot of tears. But when his therapist told us about this event, we thought we’d give it a try.
“He gets to do stuff that all other kids do, but it’s on his terms,” she added. “It’s a lot easier for him, and just more comfortable.”
Courtney and Phil Bosche have been taking their children, Robert and Anastasia, to Caring Santa since they were born. Both kids are on the autism spectrum, so the lack of distractions at the event allows them to have a more intimate meeting with Saint Nick, Courtney said.
“This has been really great,” Courtney Bosche said. “Doing Caring Santa just makes sense for our family and with our kids.”
While Robert was able to meet Santa, Anastasia is still working up the courage to do so, she said.
“She’s a little bit scared, but she’s getting more comfortable,” said Courtney. “She wouldn’t have even been standing right here before we did this.”
Courtney, who acknowledged that all children have different needs when it comes to meeting Santa, said events like the one on Sunday are important because they allow all kids and their families to have a memorable Christmas experience.
“They’re not all the same, and they don’t all need the same thing, just like adults,” she said. “With this event, everybody gets a chance with Santa. What kid doesn’t deserve a chance with Santa?”
