Wearing holiday sweaters, holding gift bags and taking photographs with Santa Claus, more than 40 senior citizens throughout the Heart of Virginia were involved in a holiday event held by Centra PACE on Tuesday morning.

During the event, participants got to visit Santa Claus, played by Prentece Booker. Santa wished them a Merry Christmas, asked how they were doing and gave them tote bags filled with gifts.

One participant sat on Santa’s lap, and one or two gave him pecks on the check. Dixie McDowell, intake coordinator and social worker, who played an elf, cheered as participants received gifts.

The event room was filled with holiday music and decorations made by Centra PACE participants.

Some of the decorations included paper ornaments that were placed on the doors, boxes wrapped with white gift paper, cut out eyes and noses and even some bows and caps to make them into snowmen.

Following Santa’s visit, Recreational Therapist Elise Hemmer sang carols with participants.

Mary Simonetta, Centra PACE community outreach manager, said the event is meaningful for both the participants and the organizers. 

“At PACE we support our participants everyday, but this time of year is special for all of us,” Simonetta said in a statement. “We try to bring extra joy to them through our recreational therapy, events and caring. Santa is one of our recreational therapy activities, and there are many others. We also support our folks that may struggle this time of year as they remember loved ones.”

Booker had previously worked with PACE as a driver but said he’s returned since to volunteer as Santa.

“(It’s) seeing the smiles,” Booker said about his favorite aspect of being Santa. “I don’t get to come down as much as I used to and get to see tons of people I saw when I was here.”

PACE held a similar event Wednesday morning, and participants got to take part in a Christmas luncheon, play rounds of air hockey, join in a scavenger hunt and play card games.