SANFORD — It was “PJ Day” on Dec. 17, and just as the North Pole was at its busiest, Santa took the time to visit the children at the Fraser-Ford Child Development Center. Escorted by his helpers from the Wells and Ogunquit chambers of commerce, Santa arrived in a festive green trolley, and with a wave of his gloved hand, gave a big “Ho, Ho, Ho!”
The children and staff welcomed Santa into a classroom with a festive fireplace and a decorated Christmas tree, and one by one, each child had an opportunity to meet Santa up close. Many had never seen Santa before and were awe-struck with his twinkling blue eyes, fur-lined jacket and jingle-bell bracelets. They touched the pom-pom on the top of his hat and the holly decoration on its brim, but not a single child pulled on his real beard and curled mustache.
“The children don’t usually touch my beard,” Santa said. “But when I visit retirement homes, the old folks are the ones who pull on my beard!”
Some of the children were able to share their wish for a Christmas gift, while others were happy with a high five from the jolly old elf. He handed each child a wrapped gift provided by the center, and his helpers gave each child a stuffed animal, brought to the center by the members of the chambers.
“The Wells and Ogunquit chambers have been visiting Waban for over 20 years with Santa. This is my 14th year and I just love it,” said Eleanor Vadenais, the executive director of the Wells Chamber of Commerce.
The stuffed animals were donated by Jonathan Seckofsky, owner of Animal Instinct in downtown Ogunquit. Many thanks to Santa and his helpers, Dave Banks, Michele Tourangeau, Guy Mitchell, Nancy Kwederis, Jackie Grant, Rick Barber, Tom Hunter and Marcus Mitchell.
The Fraser-Ford Child Development Center, Waban’s special-purpose preschool, provides essential treatment and therapies for preschool children with autism, Down’s syndrome, severe medical issues and other developmental delays. The skills that are learned ensure that each and every child will have the greatest chance of success, require fewer services in the future and be on their way to being mainstreamed in public schools and in the community.
— By Selena Brock, communications specialist, Waban Projects, Inc.
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