Santa takes seat in Berkeley Mall
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on November 23, 2014 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Aiden Faulkner, 6, and his sister, Emma, talk to Santa Saturday at the mall.
Isaac Peterson has been very good this year.
How good?
The 4-year-old could not stretch his arms wide enough to illustrate it.
So when he climbed into Santa's lap at Berkeley Mall, he knew he was on the "nice list."
Isaac wants "games and toys" this year for Christmas.
Santa promised to do his best.
Mr. Claus arrived at the mall Saturday.
He waved and visited with children and families who turned out for a day of holiday shopping.
Photographer April Walker recommends parents get younger children accustomed to Santa before taking photos to help prevent tears.
"Just visit, come around and say, 'Hi,'" she said.
Santa said he is happy to be back at the mall this year.
"Being Santa is the most wonderful feeling you can get," he said.
He will remain in Goldsboro Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Mall manager Linda Priestly said crowds get bigger as Christmas approaches, so to beat the line, come early.
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Santa is not the only holiday attraction inside the mall.
Wish Trees offer a way to give back.
The three trees offer gift options for boys, girls and seniors in need.
"Seniors are sometimes forgotten and we want to include them," Mrs. Priestly said.
There are 650 tags for children and 200 for seniors.
Last year, nearly 600 gifts were purchased.
"We've been doing it for 17 years now, just to help the community," Mrs. Priestly said.
Once a gift is purchased, customers are asked to wrap the presents and return them to Kay Jewelers with the number tag side up on the package.
"It doesn't matter if it is one gift or a lot," Mrs. Priestly said. "It's the thought that counts."
The gifts will be delivered to WAGES and the senior center in time for Christmas.
For those who like to avoid wrapping, the Mayor's Youth Council is happy to take that charge off their plate.
The group will wrap gifts for donations that will benefit the Youth Council's Scholarship Fund and Spring Convention.