A special North Pole guest to visit Salvation Army’s Zelma George Family Shelter Thursday

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the Salvation Army's  Zelma George Family Shelter on ThursdaySalvation Army of Greater ClevelandSanta and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the Salvation Army's Zelma George Family Shelter on Thursday


The Salvation Army Greater Cleveland will welcome a jolly visitor from the North Pole to its Zelma George Family Shelter on East 18th Street this Thursday, Dec. 19 at 9 a.m. Who could this visitor be? Well, Santa Claus, of course, and he will be accompanied by a special guest (Mrs. Claus) to deliver toys to parents and help them pick out the perfect gifts for their children's Christmas.

Local divisional secretaries captains Joel and Kathleen Ashcraft, as well as Beau Hill, executive director of Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Complex & Zelma George Family Shelter, will be on hand to help parents select gifts for their children.

The Salvation Army in Greater Cleveland provides toys to more than 4,500 children and 2,000 families. Those numbers include families at the Zelma George Family Shelter, which houses 80 children and 35 families.

Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Salvation Army officials all say they want to ensure these families have a merry and bright Christmas full of Santa Cheer.

Don’t forget to stop by the Red Kettles around the area, with the volunteer Bellringers who are focused on raising $400,000 to run the year-round food pantry and other initiatives designed to give hardworking families and individuals a hand up during difficult times.

This is the 133rd year of the annual Red Kettle Campaign for The Salvation Army in Greater Cleveland.