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Carmello Washington, 6, greets Santa with a hug during the Children’s Christmas tree fund hosted by the Santa Clause Committee Saturday at Braden School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Santa makes his entrance during the Children’s Christmas tree fund hosted by the Santa Clause Committee Saturday at Braden School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Brooklynn Baity, 3, runs up on stage to meet Santa during the Children’s Christmas tree fund hosted by the Santa Clause Committee Saturday at Braden School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Caitilyn Ikard, 5, waits in line to meet Santa during the Children’s Christmas tree fund hosted by the Santa Clause Committee Saturday at Braden School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Caitilyn Ikard, hugs Santa during the Children’s Christmas tree fund hosted by the Santa Clause Committee Saturday at Braden School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Santa danced his way down the center aisle of the Braden School Auditorium on Christmas Eve, lighting up the faces of local children.

The auditorium was packed with dozens of children and their families waiting to receive a few early Christmas gifts from St. Nick, who received a little help from the Santa Claus Committee.

The committee got its start in Natchez in 1928, when a group of businessmen decided they wanted to ensure that less-fortunate local children have a merry Christmas.

The committee exists only for charitable purposes, and members pay yearly dues to participate in the committee’s annual parade, which is always on Christmas Eve.

Santa and a caravan of committee members traveled around Natchez tossing candy to local children.

Part of the parade also includes stopping at Braden School Auditorium and passing out presents to children ages 1 to 10.

Santa, who’s known to some as Tom Taylor, greeted each child, posing for photos and giving hugs.

His helpers then passed out a bag of toys and other gifts to each child.

When 4-year-old Alexis Baity got her turn to see Santa, she donned a special blinking red nose in honor of her favorite Christmas reindeer. While she is a big fan of Santa, Baity admits Rudolph is her favorite.

Baity came to see Santa with her grandmother Sharon Baity, whose family has been participating in the Santa Claus Committee festivities for years. Her father, Boyd Alexander, has been involved with the committee for decades.

“We always wait for the parade to come by my mother’s house and make a whole day of it,” Baity said. “It’s a great way to spend Christmas Eve, instead of our shopping in the hustle and bustle.”

The committee’s continued generosity is an important staple of the holidays in Natchez, Baity said.

“In these times, you shouldn’t be ashamed that you need a little extra help to make Christmas magical for your children.”

For Natasha Harris, the gifts her five children — all boys ranging in age from 1 to 11 — received Saturday cannot outshine the show of unity she sees at the Santa Claus Committee festivities.

“It’s really about community,” Harris said. “You don’t get us to come together like this a lot, so it’s community. It’s really like a day (of fellowship).

“And of course the kids like seeing Santa.”

Five-year-old Caitilyn Ikard certainly did not shy away from Santa when it was her turn to hug him.

“He’s my friend,” she said. “And he gives me presents. I like that.”

Ikard visited Santa with her aunt Shan Brown.

“Today is really about making sure they’re happy and getting to see Santa,” she said. “Seeing their faces light up, that’s really the best part for me.”

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