Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer were the stars at a Christmas party for the local community at the International College of the Cayman Islands last weekend.

To make this Christmas party meaningful for the community, the students invited a select group of 20 children from struggling families to join them and their families to share gifts, food and celebrate the season. Faculty, alumni, staff and trustees also brought their children to the party so altogether there were some 40 children visiting with Santa Claus and Rudolph.

Santa Claus told stories, gave all the children a chance to ring the reindeer bell and later had them sign the “Santa Naughty or Nice” Book in preparation for Christmas Eve.

“We talked about what it is like in the North Pole and how the elves tell the reindeer where to go all the time,” said Mr. Claus.

“The reindeer are not here, just Rudolph today. The reindeer are all in flight school. They are training for Christmas Eve.”
For several weeks, students, faculty, trustees and alumni contributed gifts for the children, particularly those from families who are struggling financially in the Bodden Town area.

This is the first year the student activities committee organised the Christmas party on campus, said Student Activities Director Anita Fausett-Khan.
“ICCI always get so much from our community so this is our time to give back,” said Ms. Fausett-Khan.

“The big attraction today was Santa. I have never seen kids this mesmerised in my life, especially when Rudolph showed up. It can’t get any better than Rudolph,” she added.