Santa Brings Gifts, Smiles to 900 Children in Dearborn's South End

Video: Detroit Free Press

Santa Claus made an early stop at Salina Elementary School in Dearborn Thursday morning to pass out Christmas gifts to 900 happy girls and boys.

The event was sponsored by ACCESS, Comerica Bank, Kiwanis Club of Dearborn, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

ACCESS has been giving out gifts during the holidays to elementary school students in Dearborn's south end for more than 40 years.

“We look forward to this event every year, and so do the kids,” said Brigitte Anouti, co-director of Social Services at ACCESS. “This event is about giving back to the community and putting a smile on the faces of children who may be receiving their one toy for the holiday season."

The majority of the population in Dearborn's south end is Yemeni-American, and the area suffers higher poverty rates then other parts of the city, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Approximately 95 percent of the students at Salina Elementary are Arab-American Muslims. Though a few Muslim parents have objected in the past to their child's participation in the annual gift-giving event, most of the kids and families have embraced the Santa tradition.

Additionally, the program's coordinator is always careful to purchase gifts that are culturally-sensitive to observant Muslims, according to the article. 

Examples of this year's gifts include: foam footballs and basketball hoops for the boys, pretend jewelry and dolls for the girls, and healthy snacks and toothbrushes.

"This is a labor of love, and a great collaborative effort by four very caring groups,” Anouti said.