The Junior Auxiliary of Meridian is inviting families to spend the morning with Santa and spread a little holiday cheer on Saturday, Dec. 14, during a festive JA Wonderland event at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church downtown.

The family-friendly holiday event will take place from 9 a.m. until noon at the church and is being hosted by JA’s provisional class.

During JA Wonderland, children and families will get the chance to meet, greet and take photos with Santa Claus, as well as enjoy refreshments and take part in holiday crafts. Local photographer Brandi Lee will be in attendance to capture the treasured moments for guests.

Tickets to the event are $20 per family and are available online at one.bidpal.net/jawonderland. Tickets include one digital photo with a scheduled time.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the JA’s Provisional Class Project, referred to as “Ditch the Screen: Ignite Your Dreams,” an initiative aimed at inspiring local youth to unplug from their devices and screens and ignite their imaginations, according to a JA press release.

“We’re excited to bring the community together for a morning of holiday joy that also makes a lasting impact,” said Alison Gardner, first vice president and provisional trainer for Junior Auxiliary of Meridian. “Through the support of our JA Wonderland attendees, we can continue providing meaningful experiences for children in our community.”

Organizers encourage community members to purchase tickets in advance to secure their spot at the holiday event.

The Junior Auxiliary of Meridian has more than 50 active members who serve more than 3,500 hours annually across five standing projects that provide charitable services to children. Among the services the members provide are mentoring for high school girls, organizing activities and mentoring for Hope Village for Children teens, providing school uniforms and personal hygiene items, providing eye exams and prescription eyeglasses, and promoting literacy building by giving take-home books to second graders. The organization also awards teacher mini-grants annually to educators in Lauderdale County, and the group’s provisional class funds a class service project. 

For more information about the JA Wonderland event, contact firstvp@jameridian.com.