The winter holidays will soon be upon the residents of Voorhees, and those in town will have plenty of seasonal events to keep them busy throughout the rest of the year.
Voorhees Town Center
The annual township tree lighting and Santa parade will be Friday, Nov. 18 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Voorhees Town Center. That’s right — Santa Claus is coming to town!
The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. on the plaza, and Elsa and Olaf from “Frozen” will be there. Elsa will sing the popular song “Let It Go.” Today’s Dance Center will be performing a Rockettes dance number, and the Voorhees Police Department, the Voorhees Fire District and Mayor Michael Mignogna will also be in attendance. A showing of Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” will be at 7 p.m. in the food court.
Through Dec. 23, Santa will be at the Town Center for photographs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. On Christmas Eve, just before Santa takes his annual trip around the world, kids will have one last chance for photos from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Not to be left out, furry friends can also have their photos taken with Santa on Mondays, when pets are welcome from 6 to 9 p.m.
Other holiday events at the Voorhees Town Center include holiday movie nights on Wednesdays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14.
A new event happening at the Town Center to help those in need this holiday season is “Magic at the Mall.” Starting Nov. 18 through Dec. 11, complete a Tree Tag from one of the trees near Santa Claus or the food court by writing a person in need’s name and your contact information. Hang the tag back on the tree for someone else to purchase the requested gift, and they will bring it to Santa’s Tower. The recipients will be contacted if their “Gift of Magic” appears at Santa’s Tower, and they must attend “Magic at the Mall” to receive their gift from Santa on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
Autism Speaks is partnering with Noerr Programs Corporation for Santa Cares. This event will take place on Dec. 4 from 9 to 11 a.m. and is for any child who requires special care or has special needs who can enjoy their time with Santa.
The St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church bell choir will perform on Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. in the Boscovs court.
Check www.voorheestowncenter.com for more information on holiday events at the Town Center and prices for Santa photo packages.
HOPE Church
Good, old-fashioned Christmas fun is planned on Saturday, Nov. 26 at HOPE Church, 700 Cooper Road, for its annual community Christmas Tree Lighting. The event will include an outdoor stage filled with performers, children’s activities, hot chocolate and cider, popcorn and cookies and, of course, a visit from old Saint Nick.
HOPE Church continues its holiday happenings for its youth performance of “All About That Baby: A Sheep-ishly Fun Christmas Musical” at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. Join the shepherds in Bethlehem for two days leading up to the birth of Jesus, but with a funny twist — there some cool sheep who talk and rap throughout the production.
HOPE Church’s Worship Arts Ministry presents “Imagine” at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. With music, drama and dance, the show will imagine and experience royalty wrapped in rags and majesty in a manger.
Eastern Holiday Craft Show
On Dec. 3, shoppers can support this year’s Eastern Regional High School Project Graduation Holiday Craft Show. The craft show will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eastern Regional High School, where crafts, refreshments and lunch items will be sold.
The annual craft show helps Eastern families support the school’s annual Project Graduation, which provides graduating seniors a fun, alcohol- and drug-free graduation night.
Breakfast with Santa
For another chance to see Santa, the man in the red suit will also be appearing at the Gibbsboro-Voorhees Lions Club’s annual Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 3.
The event will take place at the Voorhees Community Hall at Lions Lake Park, Route 73 and Dutchtown Road, from 8–11 a.m.
As in previous years, Santa will come to each table and pose for photos with kids and families, so parents should make sure to bring a camera. The cost is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children.
Holiday fun for furry friends
Another chance for pets to see Santa will happen Dec. 10 and 11 when the big jolly elf visits the Animal Welfare Association at 509 Centennial Blvd. for its Share the Love Adoption Weekend. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests and their pets can get a photo with Santa while also enjoying refreshments, games, giveaways and more. And if you’re looking for a new furry family member, the AWA is offering special adoption discounts all weekend, too.
Share the Love Adoption Weekend will be a perfect time to drop off donations to the AWA’s “Stuff the Subaru” Holiday Drive. From Dec. 1 through Dec. 12, members of the public can visit the AWA and bring pet food, treats and toys. A collection will also be held at Miller Subaru in Lumberton.
Holiday gift drives
In addition to enjoying holiday events in town, those in a giving mood also have several chances to make the holidays a little brighter for others with holiday gift drives.
Through Dec. 6, the Camden County Library System will be accepting new or gently-used books appropriate for toddlers to young teens for its annual Books for Kids Holiday Campaign. The library has a clearly marked box available to collect donations.
Green Lea Garden Center & Patio Furniture, 204 Route 73, will be holding its 39th annual holiday toy drive. At the store, visitors can find a tree with a local child’s name, age and gender listed. Visitors can select a card from the tree and return a wrapped or unwrapped, age appropriate gift by Saturday, Dec. 10.
From now through Dec. 17, AAA South Jersey is teaming with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation. It is asking residents to drop off new, unwrapped toys in the toy drive donation bin placed in the lobbies of all four AAA South Jersey locations, including 700 Laurel Oak Road in Voorhees. Once collected, the toys are taken to a distribution center where toys are sorted by age and gender, wrapped, and distributed to needy children in the local area. For more information, please visit AAA.com.
Have a holiday event coming up? Hosting a special drive for those in need? Let The Sun know about it by emailing [email protected].
