Whitehall Walmart and Elevate Foundation teamed up to sponsor a photos with Santa event for families and children Dec. 14. Numerous Walmart shoppers paused to take pictures with Santa and their children and then have a cookie or a piece of candy.

Elevate volunteers James Hadinger, Tealyn Boyle-Becca, Leslie Estrada, Gabriel Santamaria-Becca and Keyla Butler were on hand to make the event memorable for the families and children. Whitehall Walmart Store Manager Carissa Fanus also assisted as needed at the Christmas celebration event.

Lia and Delan Abreu and their mother, Carmen, of Whitehall, stopped by Walmart to shop. They saw Santa sitting in front of an attractive fireplace with holiday stockings hung on it, Christmas trees, poinsettias and a large wreath hung on the wall. There was also a table filled with candy canes, other candy and cookies for the kids who stopped in to see Santa.

The Abreus stopped by so Lia and Delan could tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Delan was a little timid at first but settled in quickly.

There was a friendly Santa, helpful volunteers and, most importantly, happy kids. As we all know, happy kids grow up to make happy adults.

Walmart has a rich history of civic engagement at its stores throughout the United States and beyond.

Elevate Foundation was founded in 2020. Its mission is to “uplift communities through sustainable investment in three pillars of service: basic human needs, education and serving the underserved.”

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Bethlehem, Elevate Foundation partners with other organizations to sponsor back to school drives that provide families book bags filled with school supplies. Volunteers coordinate community cleanups in a number of areas and organizes many other area activities. Visit elevatefoundation.net to review all the things Elevate Foundation provides, how to volunteer or how to support their important work.