- January 6, 2026
Santa and Mrs. Claus — Claude Larece and Michele Knox — with Jordon Via. Courtesy photo
Braelyn and Braxton LaTouche with AACS Holiday Gift Giving Chairperson Sharon Waring. Courtesy photo
Santa and Mrs. Claus — Claude Larece and Michele Knox — with Laylani Blu Marteu. Courtesy photo
Santa and Mrs. Claus — Claude Larece and Michele Knox — with Janicka Alcindor. Courtesy photo
It was the Friday before Christmas and the African American Cultural Society gathered at the Walmart Palm Coast Supercenter preparing for its 32nd Holiday Gift Giving program.
Volunteers and program Chairperson Sharon Waring set up in the Garden Center area with snacks, hamburgers, hot dogs, cookies and hot chocolate. They brought in tables and chairs for check-in, ID badges, gift wrapping, ribbons and bows and blank name tags.
"This is for the children, so make the area a place of joy," Waring said.
Then came Santa Claus and Mrs Claus — aka Claude Larece and Michele Knox — and finally the children with their parents and guardians. Each child was paired with an AACS volunteer and given a $150 gift card. Funds were raised through donations to the program.
The children each took a picture with Santa and Mrs Claus and were provided a cart with instructions, "Stay with your escorts, shop for whatever you want."
The children chose books, clothes, shoes, sleepwear, bikes, electronic gear, pencils and dolls. When they finished shopping they returned to the gift wrapping station. The children shopped for themselves, their siblings, their parents and their friends.
To all the participants — children, parents, guardians and volunteers — we offer our thanks, gratitude and love.
