By AFRO Staff
Mrs. Santa returned to West Baltimore with bikes, games and gifts for all ages on Dec 13. Working with Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy as her partner school, Mrs. Santa welcomed children, volunteers and members of the Afro Charities and AFRO News teams as she carried the AFRO tradition into yet another year.
“It really does give me an opportunity to just bring some smiles to children’s faces,” said Diane Hocker, the AFRO director of community and public relations who has served as Mrs. Santa for 25 years.
“I’m passing the baton to the Afro Charities team, but when you pass the baton you still run behind to support. I think they’re doing a great job. They have definitely elevated how the program is recognized in the community.”
For more than six decades the annual Mrs. Santa toy giveaway event has served as a time to make Christmas wishes come true for Baltimore families. This year, toy drives were once again held by the Baltimore Kappa Silhouettes and the Steppin’ Out Bunch, with a new drive hosted by Next Phaze Café. Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. made their annual donation of bikes, and individuals looking to bless others added toys and school uniforms. All together, Afro Charities leaders say roughly $5,000 was raised to help families across the city this holiday season. Forty families participated in this year’s event.
“There’s so many people in Baltimore who love to support this program and so we do it primarily for that reason,” said Savannah Wood, executive director of Afro Charities. “The students could use some extra support…it’s really a team effort.”
Wood said the Mrs. Santa toy giveaway might be centered around Christmas, but it “absolutely” lends itself to the principles of Kwanzaa.
“Self-determination, unity, all of it,” said Wood. “I think it all goes hand in hand.”
Afro Charities forged a partnership with Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy in Baltimore’s Upton neighborhood last year, ahead of a planned move into the area’s famed Upton Mansion. As renovations to the space continue, the Afro Charities team has worked hand in hand with members of the school community.
Deyane Moses, director of programs and partnerships for Afro Charities, spoke on why it’s important to keep Mrs. Santa going year after year.
AFRO Director of Community and Public Relations Diane Hocker (left) reprises her role as Mrs. Santa at Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy on Dec. 13. Shown here, Hocker with Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
David Parker (left), Aaron Moore, Donnell Jenkins and Dwayne White, all members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, present brand new bikes donated by the organization. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Demi Allen receives a design in face paint from Desiree Thaniel. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Devyn Moye creates a holiday ornament. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, AFRO News CEO and publisher, shares a moment with Afro Charities Director of Programs and Partnerships Deyane Moses, “Poe” the mascot for the Baltimore Ravens; Diane Hocker, AFRO director of community and public relations, and Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Items for the Mrs. Santa toy giveaway are put on display. Photo courtesy of Afro Charities / Savannah Wood 
Olmec Roberts, 4, holds on tight to his gifts from Mrs. Santa. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Claye Murphy, an Afro Charities board member, chats with attendees Amour Rollins (center) and Devyn Moye (right) as they choose their gifts. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Tylen Camlin shows off his gift of choice, a pack of bubble wands. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Members of the AFRO News and Afro Charities team celebrate another successful year of Mrs. Santa’s annual toy giveaway at Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy with members of the community and “Poe,” the mascot of the Baltimore Ravens. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Wesley Terry (center), attends the event with his cousin, Nikita Rollins, and his daughter, Lesley Terry (left). AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Antoinella “DJ Tuturella” Peterkin sets the tone for the party with Christmas tunes. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Andre Draper, AFRO director of operations, enjoys a moment with Craig Talley, chair of community service and engagement for the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor 
Educational games, musical instruments, Barbie dolls and more are offered at the Mrs. Santa toy giveaway. Photo courtesy of Afro Charities / Savannah Wood
“So many families are in need,” she said. “We want to help our community by giving them exactly what they need for the holiday season. We give because we love them, we’re building community, and we want them to know they matter. We want to make sure they have a special and memorable holiday season.”
Additional donors for this year included the Mechanic Foundation; Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation; Craig Talley, chair of community service and engagement for the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Arthur Varnado; The Philomathians; Enyinna Anthony of the Anthony Management Group; Joan Pratt and Frederica Vaughn; Michael Howard of The Baltimore Alpha Wives; the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation; Brian “Keith” Talley; Mary Cook; Lavone Grant; Geraldine Bates; Next Phaze Café; and Edith Holland Bryant Woman’s Missionary Society.
Journey Yates, an 11-year-old attendee, learned about the program through her participation in Unlimited Potential, a non profit organization founded by Haneef Hardy that mentors children in West Baltimore.
Yates left the event with Play-Doh and an Orbeez kit. For this holiday season, she said she wants people to “feel great and get some presents.”
While some took portraits with Mrs. Santa, others lined up to receive a face painting from artist Desiree Thaniel, or paid a visit to the arts and crafts table to make a holiday ornament. Aside from Christmas presents, the day featured an appearance by “Poe,” the mascot for the Baltimore Ravens NFL franchise. Attendees also enjoyed food by Exquisite Catering as Antoinella “DJ Tuturella” Peterkin filled the halls with sounds of Motown Christmas.
Breyana Crowder, a parent who attended with her family, spoke about why the event was meaningful to her.
“I came out to support and bring my kids out for the Christmas experience, just to get the feel of Christmas,” said Crowder.
After losing her grandmother this year, Crowder said the Mrs. Santa event was healing because it offered a chance for her to spend time with her loved ones.
“I just love feeling that warmth…being around people that feel like family really warms my heart.”