Santa’s Workshop Event Brings Joy In West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT — (Pictured): A member of the West Haven Interagency Network for Children’s Adolescent Support Group receives a stocking and a toy from Santa Claus on Saturday during a walk-through Santa’s workshop event in Painter Park for families of young people with special needs.

Each young person enrolled in the WHINC support groups and their sibling received a stocking with goodies and a toy or a Target gift card. Families took socially distanced photos with Santa and participated in an ugly sweater contest and a sugar plum candy guess.

The event’s organizer, city Youth and Family Services Director Diane Dietman, thanked the following: the WHINC parent steering committee members; the West Haven High School Peer Advocacy Program for donating the toys; Target of Orange for donating the gift cards, city Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine Jr. for hosting the event; city Health Director Maureen B. Lillis for providing the holiday face masks, hand sanitizer and candy canes; and city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo for her generous donation and support.