Sensory-Friendly Visits With Santa This Weekend
Santa Cares is a great event that helps make magical memories for children with special needs and their families. Cherry Hill Programs, a combination of Cherry Hill Photos and the Noerr Programs, will host private photo sessions exclusively for families of children with sensory, physical, or developmental needs this weekend at the Poughkeepsie Galleria.
According to Santa Cares, these photo sessions offer an environment that supports the children’s sensory, physical and developmental needs. It takes place prior to regular mall hours to lessen behavioral triggers associated with malls at this bustling season of the year.
They create a calmer atmosphere by turning down the lights, turning off the music and fountains, and allowing families to sit in a waiting area instead of in-line. These adjustments provide a calmer sensory-friendly environment and allow children and their families to have their own special magical moment with Santa.
Here's an example of how a Santa Cares program works.
The Santa Cares event will take place this Sunday, December 3, at Center Court in the Poughkeepsie Galleria starting at 9:00 a.m. and going until 11:00 a.m., when the mall will open to the general public. Families are encouraged to RSVP prior to the event at santacares.com.
Spread the word about this very special program to give every child a chance to visit with Santa.