ANDERSON — Five days before Thanksgiving, Santa Claus made a pit stop at Mounds Mall to get an early start on collecting Anderson children’s gift lists, magically light up the mall and remind people to donate to the Salvation Army.
“We like to kick-start the holiday early here to get everyone in the spirit,” said Braun Roosa, marketing director at Mounds Mall on Scatterfield Road.
Santa returned to the North Pole Saturday night until Friday, also known as Black Friday in the retail world.
“He will be back on Black Friday, and we hope you will, too,” Roosa told a group of spectators who gathered at the mall’s main entrance for Santa’s welcoming ceremony.
Santa was escorted to the mall by three Anderson Police cars. Mrs. Claus, seven elves and about 20 local children rode with him in a City of Anderson trolley for the five-mile trip from Liberty Christian School.
Brock Stephens, 4, and his sister Avrie Stephens, 3, took the opportunity to sing a poem to Santa Claus that they’d learned at school.
“Here’s the chimney, here’s the top,” they sang as they used their fists for the chimney and showed how Santa pops out.
During the short ceremony before Santa sat on his big red chair for pictures with children, Santa threw magic dust in the air that lit Christmas lights and snow flakes on the outside and inside of the mall.
He also dropped a coin in a red bucket as the first Mounds Mall donation to the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Christmas campaign.
Capt. Nathan Hines and his wife, Capt. Michelle Hines, of the Salvation Army, also asked the group to donate.
According to the couple, the local Salvation Army raised about $10,000 last year. Michelle Hines said the campaign accounts for about 50 percent of their budget, and it’s even more important that people donate this year.
“Even though our donations have remained steady, we’re seeing more families who are needing help,” she said.
Brock and Avrie Stephens’ grandmother, Darlina Metz, 55, said she enjoyed the mall being busy with people again.
“I’m hoping it will be this way after tonight,” she said.
Despite all the glitter and glamor of Santa’s visit, 7-year-old Irelynd Evans – who visits Santa every year – said there was one plus Saturday night.
“There’s a shorter line,” she said shyly.
Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.
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