KANSAS CITY, Mo. — We are still a few days away from Thanksgiving, but a Kansas City organization is already in Christmas mode. The 20th annual Santa’s Wonderland Celebration is Wednesday.
It’s a yearly tradition that needs some elves to help fill all Christmas wishes. Kansas City Council Member Jermaine Reed is one of those elves.
“It’s something that makes me feel really good,” Reed gushed.
Growing up, Reed’s family didn’t have a lot of money, but his mom always made sure he had something special under the tree Christmas morning that made him feel special. That’s why Santa’s Wonderland Celebration is so important to him.
“It’s a reality and unfortunately it may be the only toy these kids get, and so it’s our responsibility to give back to young people of our community,” explained Reed.
The 12th Street Heritage Corporation and community partners have made sure more than 17,000 toys have been handed out over the past two decades.
“Not only does it make a difference in a child getting a toy; it lets them know people out there who may not be their parents, but still care about them. Also, they may not have a parent and this is our way of saying guess what we are parenting our community and giving back to our community,” explained Dwayne Williams, president & CEO of 12th Street Heritage Development Corporation.
Along with picking out all the hot toys and games, Councilman Reed also picked out a special gift, a big gift. It’s one of his favorite parts of this annual shopping spree.
“There’s always maybe that last kid in line, or that kid who you could really tell may be in need of a big gift, so we pick out big gift to make sure they have it,” said Reed.
This year the Sprint Foundation is involved and co-chair Lisa Reid says the councilman’s gift will have company.
“He mentions one big toy for that child that looked like they really needed it, but I’m hoping we can have more than one big toy because there are lots of children with need,” said Lisa Reed of the Sprint Foundation.
Santa’s Wonderland Celebration is Wednesday night at 12th and Brooklyn. Santa Claus and a couple of his elves are expected to hand out gifts. Those “elves” may look familiar in red, they play for the Kansas City Chiefs.
