NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)– It’s that time of year again for kids to get their photos taken with Santa and one Virginia Beach woman wanted to make the experience more inclusive for children of different backgrounds.
Mickey Wright says her son wanted to get photos with a Black Santa who looked like him. After searching, she discovered the closest one was in Richmond. That’s when her idea for the “Santa Looks Like Me” event sprung to life.
“Our area is a melting pot because of the military and because of people moving here so we have all different types of nationalities that are represented in the 757. I feel it’s important and it’s time we have the type of events that match the characters in the city,” said Wright.
Wright worked with other local sponsors to create this weekend’s event at Waterside in Norfolk. There will be at least four different Santas from different backgrounds; Black, White, Spanish, and Asian.
The event is free to attend with any toy donation which will go to children in need through the YWCA and Broadcreek’s Angel Tree.
It’s Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. inside the pop-up holiday bar, “Miracle at Waterside Drive” which is decked out in Holiday Cheer.
If you can’t donate a toy, any monetary donation, of any amount you are able to give is accepted for children in need.
You can make reservations at Miracle outside of Saturday’s event through the end of the month. It’s the first-of-its-kind Holiday Pop Up Bar in Hampton Roads.
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