Santa's Winter Wonderland

The Santa’s Winter Wonderland event is the largest toy distribution event in the City of Alexandria started in 2010 as a brain child of Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) CEO, Roy Priest, in partnership with the Alexandria Recreations Parks and Cultural Activities Department and Toys for Tots. The vision was to provide an experience like none other for kids across the city of Alexandria to experience some holiday cheer, especially those from financially strapped families. Since its inception other notable partners have included the Alexandria City Public Schools, the Police, Fire, and Sheriff’s Department, and many local organizations and groups have consistently provided teams of volunteers ...to serve the community. The event has also had in attendance Washington, DC sporting team mascots and cheerleaders, and other notable attendees like Ms. Black Virginia.

The gymnasium at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, located at 901 Wythe St., is transformed into a literal Santa’s Winter Wonderland with a huge 15-18 ft Christmas tree as the center piece surrounded by toy shop areas built to resemble scenes from around the Alexandria. The ceiling, floors, walls and windows are all festively decorated and themed with thousands of toys surrounding the entire gymnasium. Santa and his household are present along with the Grinch and other characters as over 200 volunteers help in the distribution of over 3,000 toys to families on one day. Though the event starts at 6:00PM, you will normally find patrons lining up outside from as early as 3:00PM in excited anticipation. Santa arrives on a fire truck and the Grinch arrives in a cop car. Children who enter the facility leave with toys, books, stuffed animals, and a snack to boot and are treated to holiday music the entire visit.

We are looking for volunteers to serve in several capacities:
Silvan Elves: distribute books and stuffed animals or small gift bags
Toy Shop Elves: get toys to the kids
Village Elves: directions and escorting patrons
Wishlist Elves: help patrons request gifts and send them to stations
Clarion Elves: ring bells for time management
House of Claus: Santa & family!
Lembas Elves: snack crew
Kris Kringle Singers: sing holiday songs
Kris Kringle Players: bring your instrument and play holiday music
Shutterbug Elves: take pictures and video
Elf Marshalls: crowd control
Eragon Elves: translation services
Bumly Elves: entrance inspectors
Hini Elves: stroller/family support
Tolkien Elves: hand stampers
Elf Mix-A-Lot: sound engineers
Toy Sorters
Setup/Decorations

Please note: Volunteer training is required for anyone who has not participated before. This training takes place December 12 at 1 pm

Questions? Contact Victoria Rayelle Clark at community@nvulypn.org