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(From left to right) Ashley Hamilton, McCall Hamilton, 6, Jelani Hamilton and Joseph Hamilton, 3, take a photo with Santa at the Akron Urban League's annual community event on Dec. 8. Photos with Santa were free for all attendees and were printed on demand for families to take home. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)
The Akron Urban League held it’s annual Community Christmas Celebration, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” Sunday afternoon.
The free event “brings holiday magic to underserved families” and creates an “atmosphere of joy, connection, and celebration,” according to a news release from the Urban League.
More than 800 people were expected, with a photo with Santa, holiday games and crafts and family style dinner and dessert in store for guests — kids in attendance received gifts.
“Our Community Christmas Celebration is one of our favorite events of the year,” said John Williams, CEO of the Akron Urban League. “It’s a chance for us to come together as a community and ensure that every family feels the warmth and spirit of the holiday season. Seeing the joy on children’s faces and the fellowship among neighbors is what this event is all about.”
(From left to right) Dallas Gaiter, Kameryn Kennerly, and Miles Chapman dance with an attendee at the Akron Urban League’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event on Dec. 8. Chapman is part of the Akron Urban League’s Scholars Academy and brought his friends to help volunteer for the day. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Tanya Lundy, regional director for the Akron Urban League’s Guild, scoops green beans for an attendee at “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on Dec. 8. The event had almost 800 RSVPs. Lundy said it’s easy to organize and feed folks when you see a need in the community. “There is a such a passion in me that I don’t even think about how big a crowd we need to feed… we get it done.” (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Jasina Chapman, a member of the Akron Urban League Guild, rearranges free presents available to all attendees at the Akron Urban League’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event on Dec. 8. This was Chapman’s first year volunteering. “It’s a wonderful experience engaging with my community and getting to be part of their happiness.” (Christiana Cacciato | Signal Akron)Kenya Young, president of the Akron Urban League’s Guild, places a roll on an attendee’s plate during the agency’s annual “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event. By 3 p.m., the guild had served more than 500 plates of food. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Armani Gomez, 4, proudly holds up her toy she received from the Akron Urban League’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event on Dec. 8. Attendees were each given a free coupon to “buy” a toy of their choice. (Christiana Cacciato | Signal Akron)Nayah Ashford, 12, chooses a toy for herself during the Akron Urban League’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event on Dec. 8. Attendees were each given a free coupon to “buy” a toy of their choice. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Just outside of the Akron Urban League’s holiday event, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” children gather in the Video World bus to play games together. Up to twenty children can fit into the game bus at one time. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Jaz Hunt, owner of Family Bakers Video World, brought his video game bus to the Akron Urban League’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event on Dec. 8. Hunt does all types of youth games and activities, catering to big events and private parties. “Today has been a great day,” he said. “My motto is always to change the world one smile at a time.” (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Jasina Chapman, a member of the Akron Urban League Guild, rearranges free presents available to all attendees at Akron Urban League’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event on Dec. 8. This was Chapman’s first year volunteering. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Who is behind that mask? It’s John Williams, CEO of Akron Urban League, who dressed up as the Grinch. WiIliams read “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” to children attending their annual community celebration, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on Dec. 8. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Yasmine C., 2, excitingly shakes her custom snow globe while her mom, Jasmine Friday, looks on at the Akron Urban League’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event on Dec. 8. It was Friday’s first time attending — she said that the organization and enjoyment of the event made her want to volunteer at Akron Urban League. (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Alleavia Ivery (left) and sister Karma Hunter wait in line for turkey at Akron Urban League’s community event “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on Dec. 8. Karma said she loved meeting Santa, but her favorite part? “Honestly, it was getting to pick out a toy!” (Christiana Cacciato / Signal Akron)Charlotte Gibson (left), Pam Gay (middle) and Diane Roebuck (right) sit at the volunteer table for the Akron Urban League’s Annual Community Christmas Celebration on Dec. 8. Gibson, who is volunteering for her second year, commented that compared to last year, “this really is much bigger — we have more community participation and we are well organized.” (Christiana Cacciato | Signal Akron)
Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.
