Santa’s visit unlocks holiday spirit
Santa’s reindeer weren’t allowed past security, but the bag of presents made it.
The big guy and Mrs. Claus were the two most popular visitors Saturday at the Airway Heights Corrections Center.
The two passed out candy canes, visited with inmates’ children and pulled sacks of specially selected toys out of Santa’s big red bag. A group of volunteer musicians entertained the crowd with Christmas carols.
About 50 inmates and 90 kids took part in the party.
Four-year-old Alyza White was all dressed up in a green velvet Christmas outfit. She and her grandmother, Debra Hursh, drove almost seven hours from the West Side of the state to come to the Santa celebration.
Alyza wasn’t so sure about Santa. But she was happy to see her dad, and spent almost the entire time planted on his lap, happily playing with her new toys.
“It gives you an opportunity to sit down with your kid and do things you wouldn’t usually get to do in this situation. You get to open presents and spend Christmas with them,” said Alyza’s dad, Jeff White.
The pre-Christmas celebration for inmates and their families was organized by the local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. It’s the third year they’ve brought Christmas to the Airway Heights prison.
“It’s done by our volunteers, and they care a lot about our offenders. Eventually the offenders go home, and keeping those family ties is what is going to make them successful in the community,” said Risa Klemme, the prison’s administrative program manager. “It helps them build memories with their kids.”
Other Airway Heights Corrections Center family events include an August barbecue and several multicultural celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo.
Volunteers raised about $1,500 to buy the Christmas presents, which were selected based upon the ages and genders of the children. Fathers gave the Christian Motorcyclists information about their kids in advance of the party.
“This is an all-year process,” said motorcyclist Susan Stefanini.
Children left Santa’s arms with stuffed animals, games, trucks and other toys. They couldn’t be wrapped for security purposes, but no one seemed to care.
Santa (aka Rusty Marsh) also gave each child a tube filled with Tootsie Rolls, and the room was quickly filled with kids smeared with chocolate.
“There are different churches that give us gifts, people who donated money,” said Christian Motorcyclists member (and Mrs. Claus) Carolyn Scott.
“God has opened this door for us,” Scott added. “I have a heart for these men to know the Lord.”
Jamaine Alexander’s 15-month-old son, Cailen, danced around in a playpen while he watched the musicians.
Cailen’s mom, Erica Clark, said she brings him and 3-year-old Cameron to visit their dad twice a week, but that this visit was special.
“It’s a lot happier. It’s less institutional,” Clark said as she surveyed the scene.
The inmates themselves didn’t receive any gifts, except of course one of the best presents they could get this year – the chance to see their children happy.