By Amy Baskin

Community Education and Communcations director

Are you looking for a fun event geared for the entire family, but especially for children birth through age 7? Are you looking for an event that focuses on giving instead of receiving? The Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Santa Workshop is just for you. The Santa Workshop on Thursday, Dec. 11, is an evening of songs, stories, art projects, entertainment, community service and a little shopping.

The Community Learning Center, located at 912 First Avenue NE, transforms into a holiday wonderland for the evening. The classrooms feature hands-on projects, activities, fun and a little shopping. Students can do a homemade art project and gift bag for mom and dad. Holiday stories and songs are featured in another room. We have a book room with a wide variety of children’s books for $1 each. A shopping area in the gym gives young children an opportunity to use their own money to purchase small gifts for their siblings or parents with gifts ranging in price from $.25 to $5. Santa is here all evening and families are encouraged to bring their cameras for a holiday photo. The Austin High School choral performance group The Austinaires sings carols in the hallways and are always a hit. The community is encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the workshop and all food collected goes to our local Salvation Army Food Shelf.

There are lots of opportunities to enjoy the holidays in our community, but the ECFE Santa Workshop is designed specifically for the youngest children. The Santa Workshop is focused on giving back and all projects and activities are about doing something for others. We hope you and your family will join us at the Community Learning Center from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday for our fun family event.