Santa Land sponsors, volunteers sought

To the Editor:

This year celebrates the 10th Annual Santa Land Event at the Black River Coliseum--this is a community event free to the children of Poplar Bluff and Butler County.

Santa Land was created by a group of residents of Poplar Bluff in response to a very well thought out letter to the editor in the Daily American Republic in 2001. The letter brought up several valid points about our community and what was needed to get our community excited about Christmas. The main point was that our community needed a Christmas event for ALL children who may possibly not have the opportunity to experience the true joy of Christmas. Since 2002, this event has done just that. Each year thousands of people flock to Santa Land to get into the Christmas Spirit. There are free pictures with Santa (who arrives in a helicopter), games, story time with Mrs. Claus, a live nativity scene, the Grinch, arts and crafts and much more. A SPECIAL guest this year for the 10 year celebration is one of Santa's real reindeer!!

The Poplar Bluff Park Department and Walmart are the main sponsors, however this event is truly a community event with many other businesses and non-profit organizations helping with volunteers and financial donations. The DAR has always been very kind to promote and cover this wonderful event as well. No one receives any pay for the event and all donations received go directly to the costs associated with Santa Land.

Santa Land is Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. this year at the Black River Coliseum. Event coordinators are currently seeking donations, volunteers and sponsors. For more information please call Pam Stratton at Walmart at 686-6420.

Steve Halter

Poplar Bluff, MO