Marines

Photo Information

Santa Claus beckons a child forward to him for a picture at Santa’s Village at Kulia Youth Center, Dec. 13, 2014. More than 700 people came to see Santa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Khalil Ross/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Khalil Ross

Santa came to town

19 Dec 2014 | Lance Cpl. Khalil Ross Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Two weekends before Christmas and all the families were excited; full of holiday joy, the children were delighted. The parents were exhausted and their youth needed a place —  a fun wintry village that could keep up with their pace. “Santa’s Village” they thought, would be worth all the while; so off went the family, each member wearing a smile.

On Dec. 13, 2014, parents of Marine Corps Base Hawaii brought their children to Santa’s Village, a carnival funded by Marine and Family Programs.

Santa’s Village is designed to support the families, said Patricia Barrera, the family care branch head. She said it is something that offers qualified families an alternative during the holidays.

“The holiday season is a costly event in itself,” Barrera said. “We want to give families the option to come out and (participate in) fun activities at no cost.”

Barrera said having pictures with Santa was a good alternative to going off base.

“If you go off base to get pictures with Santa, it’s quite expensive,” she said.

Barrera said the line for pictures with ol’ Saint Nick himself were very long as it’s one of the largest events the Marine and Family Programs hosts.

“Families always wait for this event,” said Andrea Souza, the event coordinator. “The carnival has been around since 2003.”

In the first hour that the village was open, there were more than 700 people in attendance.

“I think the numbers were going very good,” Souza said.

Souza said Marine and Family Programs covers everyone from infants to 17 year olds, said Souza. They also support children with exceptional needs, Barrera added.

“We order carnival rides, inflatable games, balloons and a magic show,” said Souza. “It’s different each (year).”

There was also face painting, movie time and a performance from some of the classes the program offers, such as gymnastics and dance.

The carnival workers were all volunteers, most of them being active-duty service members, Barrera said. They dressed up as snowmen and elves, interacting with the kids and spreading holiday merriment.

“For this being my first year, I think (Santa’s Village) is dynamic,” Barrera said. “It’s a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the holidays.”

With the child tuckered out and without losing a cent, the fun came to an end and the day was well spent.


Marine Corps Base Hawaii