Local families had the opportunity to get into the holiday spirit with pictures with Santa, dancing, holiday crafts, and face painting during the 22nd annual Winter Wonderland sponsored by the Santa Barbara Police Activities League (PAL) Dec. 15 at the Carousel House.
The holiday event served 72 families, and 176 children received personalized gifts. Dinner and dessert were catered by El Pastorcito Taqueria.
All the children attending received a wrapped holiday gift. Of the gifts, 85% were sponsored by the Santa Barbara Police Department (SBPD) employees, 10% by community members, and 5% by the District Attorney’s Office.
The evening offered a reprieve for the families during a time of year that can be difficult. For many of the families, time together to simply have fun is a rare occasion.
Some attending this year’s event have recently become homeless; are facing grief and loss; or are single parents without familial support for their children.
Local officers helped serve dinner and spent time with families. It was a chance for all involved to relax, enjoy themselves, and connect with the community.
PAL strives to build positive mentoring relationships between teens, the Police Department, and members of the community through leadership, mentorship, and academic enrichment programs.
Located at the Twelve35 Teen Center, PAL provides teens with holistic programming including academic support and a range of enrichment programs such as fitness classes and equipment, environmental education, and social-emotional and mental wellness referral support.
For more information about PAL, visit www.sbpal.org.