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Campus News |
Nov. 20, 2009
MARTIN – The legacy of Santa’s Village can be measured in the amount of food and toys that have been collected and donated to service agencies through its 24 years. Those donations – totaling $835,934 – have been distributed to area residents who need them. Santa’s Village will mark its 25th anniversary, Dec. 10-13, continuing that tradition and also continuing to provide four days of family holiday entertainment. To date, 213,477 people have attended Santa’s Village. The fantasyland provides the sights, sounds and fun of Christmas. It is staged each year at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Slated for 6-9 p.m., Dec. 10-11; 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Dec. 12; and 1-5 p.m., Dec. 13, the event will return to the “Enchanted Forest” theme in scenes depicting the holidays. Also featured will be a giant Christmas tree, wagon rides on Friday through Sunday, MTD model train display, children’s rides and vendor booths. Twenty hours of continuous local entertainment and an expanded petting farm will add to the festivities. Doors open at 6 p.m., Dec. 10. Admission is a suggested donation of $5 worth of nonperishable foods and/or toys. Service agencies receiving food and toys collected at Santa’s Village this year include: Chimes for Charity, We Care Ministries, Obion County Chapter American Red Cross, Santa’s Helpers, Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council, Department of Children’s Services and Weakley County Head Start. Co-sponsors for the event are the City of Martin and UT Martin. Additional sponsors of the event include: University Plaza, Hamilton-Ryker, First State, MTD Products, Tyson Foods and Volunteer Community Hospital. As part of the event each year, WCMT sponsors a can caravan for canned food donations collected at the schools. “This is the 25th year for the city of Martin and the University of Tennessee at Martin to work together on this great event,” said Brian Moore, Martin Parks and Recreation Department director. “We will help approximately 1,750 families this year. So not only are we providing a fun and free holiday event for families, we are also helping to meet some of the needs of families in our community and surrounding area around the holidays.” Moore expressed thanks to sponsors and volunteers, who contribute time and money to the annual event, and the service agencies that use the bounty of food and toys from Santa’s Village to benefit families in the region at holiday time and, in some cases, throughout the year. Martin Mayor Randy Brundige and UT Martin Chancellor Tom Rakes agree that in the country’s economic times, the event is beneficial. Rakes added, “Even in tough times we need to take time to celebrate and offer our children and community members an opportunity for seasonal greetings and fun. Santa’s Village is one of the unique community events that make Martin and Weakley County a great place to live.” For more information about Santa’s Village, contact Martin Parks and Recreation Department at 731-587-6784.
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