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Kids can interact virtually with Santa at YMCA in December

‘Passports’ give kids access to special gifts, treats, and activities around the downtown
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(Supplied)

While Santa Claus will be missed in his usual activities around town, like the Santa Claus Parade, he will still be making an appearance at the YMCA to bring joy to kids and help raise funds for the Sudbury YMCA and Elgin St. Mission this December.

Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has brought, Brian Nori, a local artist and the CEO of Paint Social, has created a safe and magical way for children to visit Santa this year. 

With help from AtmosFX, Nori has been able to help Santa set up a virtual communication station in his workshop so that he can talk to the kids that wanted to visit him in Sudbury all the way from the North Pole. 

Kids will be able to see and interact with Santa and his elves virtually through an interactive projection mapped display hosted at the Sudbury YMCA.

“COVID-19 has changed the way we all live our daily lives and limited the way we celebrate special occasions, but it has also given businesses the chance to innovate and create new experiences for people,” said Nori. 

“Kids look forward to seeing Santa every year, and I want to help make it possible. There is no reason why COVID-19 should stop children from enjoying the holidays, when we have the ability to reinvent traditional activities and make them safe.”

Santa is making his appearance through a fundraiser put on by the YMCA and Elgin St. Mission called Passport to the Holidays. 

The passports will give children access to special gifts, treats, and activities that will be set up in various downtown businesses including the Monique Legault Studio, The Candy Store, Studio 35 Fashions, Huckleberries Chocolatiers, All About Massage; Laser Services, The Cedar Nest Decor Cafe, Stitch and Stone, and Querney’s Office Plus. 

There will also be special private performances for each family from local high school students, and draws to enter for children to win prize packs.

Passports are on sale for $20 per child at the Sudbury YMCA with 100 per cent of proceeds

being donated to the Sudbury YMCA and the Elgin St. Mission. 

The passports will be available for children to use during the first three Saturdays in December from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will require families to book the day the passport is being used in advance in order to keep foot traffic in businesses within COVID-safe limits.


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