Santa, crafts and a good cause. Assistance League of Norman President Kris Abbey said Norman residents should make it a priority to attend the organization’s annual Sunday with Santa this weekend.
The event, organized by the Assistance League’s teenage auxiliary group, the Assisteens®, will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Assistance League of Norman, 809 Wall St.
“I enjoy Assisteens because it has taught me how to give back to people who need it. Sunday with Santa is a great way to give back to the community and have fun, too,” said Ashley Butler, Sunday with Santa chairperson and a Norman North High School sophomore.
Assistance League of Norman President-elect Stephanie Clinton said the event is completely run by the Assisteens, with a little supervision from adults.
“These teenagers are extremely self-reliant and very mature,” she said. “We’re very proud of the work and effort they put into it each year.”
Abbey and Clinton said proceeds from the event, which will feature crafts, games, food and a visit from Santa, goes toward programs of Assisteens Norman like Operation School Bell.
Operation School Bell is a program that dresses school children, identified by counselors at Norman and Little Axe public schools, with new clothes for school.
“We want the kids to go back to school with dignity and not be embarrassed,” Clinton said.
Abbey said 15,000 children in Norman qualify for Operation School Bell, but only about 1,700 participate.
“Our goal with fundraisers like Sunday with Santa is to shorten that gap,” Abbey said.
Abbey said Sunday with Santa was created many years ago, but the Assisteens group of 2010 brought it back after a hiatus and it’s been going strong.
Tickets are $20 for children, and adult tickets are complimentary. Tickets can be purchased at assistanceleague.org. The Assistance League of Norman is a nonprofit that organizes philanthropic programs in Norman and surrounding areas that benefit everyone from infants to adults.
