Charlotte, N.C. / December 8, 2020 - The global pandemic has not put a damper on the Christmas spirit at Johnson C. Smith University. The University is moving forward with the annual Evening with Santa event hosted by the Department of Residence Life.
“The event was actually created because of my daughter,” said Octavius Rice, Residence Life Coordinator. While in New York City in 2015, Rice took his daughter to see a Black Mr. and Mrs. Clause at a department store. He wanted to make sure Black children in the community surrounding JCSU also had the opportunity to experience it, just as his daughter did.
“Myself and the Department of Residence Life are excited to be able to spread Christmas cheer to families, especially with COVID and everything going on. It's been very stressful for families and it fills my heart to be able to give back this holiday season,” Rice said.
Typically, families visit Santa and Mrs. Clause inside Biddle Hall, but this year the event will look different due to the pandemic. From 12- 3pm on Saturday, December 12, 2020, families can drive thru Mosaic Village and receive books for their children thanks to a partnership with Read Charlotte and Promising Pages. In an effort to make sure the events mission remained the same, kids have also done seven-minute Zoom calls with Santa and Mrs. Clause. Families will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle for additional prizes.
