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Bloomington College Mall Offers Sensory-Sensitive Visit With Santa

Dawson says the mall will provide a low stimulant environment for children and their families before the rest of the mall opens. (Steve Burns, WTIU/WFIU News)
Dawson says the mall will provide a low stimulant environment for children and their families before the rest of the mall opens. (Steve Burns, WTIU/WFIU News)

Bloomington’s College Mall is giving kids the opportunity to visit with Santa in a sensory-sensitive environment.

The Simon Mall property is hosting its third annual Caring Santa visit. The event gives kids the chance to take a photo with Santa in an adjusted environment that supports sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children.

David Dawson is the area director of marketing for Simon Malls. He says the event aims to create an inclusive experience for kids of all abilities.

“The community shows really great appreciation for us doing this and we're happy to do that," he says. "You know, whether it’s just one family, or I think last year we had 30 of them, so we're really excited that we can share that moment with them.”

Dawson says the mall will provide a low stimulant environment for children and their families before the rest of the mall opens.

All children are welcome to participate in the Caring Santa event, which will take place Dec. 9 and 16 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

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Alex Eady is a multi-media journalist and WTIU Newsbreaks anchor. She graduated in 2018 from the Indiana University Media School with a bachelor's in broadcast journalism and a minor in Spanish.