Recent News

Special Needs Friendly Santa 2011

On December 10th, 2011 - Holland Center sponsored a visit from Santa Claus again this year. It was a perfect opportunity for families who have children with special needs to get that holiday picture with Santa. Santa's helpers this year was Buddy the elf and Miss Minnesota, Natalie Davis, who greeted families as they came in. The children enjoyed decorating GFCF/Peanut-free cookies making holiday ornaments and crafts, as well as watching holiday-themed movies on the big screen in the gym while they waited to meet Santa. It was such a success this year that the Star Tribune was able to stop by and interview two Holland Center families on this special event.

"There's more than one way to meet Santa"

Article by: Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune
Updated: December 10, 2011 - 8:40  PM
Cassidy Dorr used to dread brining her son to see Santa at the mall. Triston has Autism and suffered sensory overload as he waited in the long lines, Christmas music playing, in a cavernous shopping space. But Saturday, Triston and his two brothers found a different experience at the Holland Center in Minnetonka. Santa sat in his own private room. The entire family posed for the pictures. And Santa's kingdom was peanut-free, gluten-free, and devoid of irritating scents and sounds. Such "special needs Santas" are a growing presence in the Twin Cities and nationally, opening the quintessential holiday ritual for children who historically have been left out.

Click Here to read the full article