NATCHEZ — As organizers of the Natchez Children’s Christmas Tree fund busily prepare for Santa Claus’ annual arrival Saturday,  they want to remind residents it is never too late to give.

“We do the shopping for the Saturday’s arrival a little bit of the time throughout the year,” Beth Foster said.

The money raised by generous donations during the holiday season help Foster and other organizers by toys, fruit and candy for approximately 300 area children — children selected by the Catholic Charities staff.

Santa Claus will arrive in Natchez Saturday to parade around town throwing candy to children of all ages and then will stop for the annual toy distribution at the Braden School auditorium on Homochitto Street.

Usually Santa makes his annual ride on Christmas Eve, but has changed his plans to Saturday.

Foster and her first cousin Caroline Nobile said they can hardly remember a time when they were not helping family members with the event.

Originally called the Poor Children’s Christmas Tree Fund, the organization was founded in 1900 by Foster’s great-great grandfather James W. Lambert, who also served as publisher of The Natchez Democrat.“We have been doing it since we were able to count,” Foster said. “We sat in the basement of Dr. Killelea’s pediatric clinic counting out orange slices and bon bons, before they had wrapped candy.”

Now they share the holiday tradition with their own children.

“It is something they always look forward to,” Foster said.  “After the event they always say, ‘Mom I feel so good.’”

These days the toys are a little more expensive than the toy cars and china dolls from their childhood, Foster said.

“Now we have Baby Alives, Barbies, remote control trucks and backpacks,” she said.

Thanks to the contributions from residents and the Santa Claus Committee, Nobile said the organization has been able to continue to provide the toys for more than 100 years.

“Please give. It is never too late,” Nobile said. “It is truly a wonderful thing that our community does each year.”

“It is worth it,” Foster said. “It really is.”

Donations may be sent to Christmas Tree Fund, P.O. Box 1082, Natchez, MS 39121 or to The Natchez Democrat, P.O. Box 1447, Natchez, MS 39121.

Donations may also be dropped off at The Democrat’s office at 503 N. Canal St.

 

Saturday’s Santa Claus Parade Schedule

7:30 a.m. — Meet at The Hotel Vue, 130 John R. Junkin Drive

8 a.m. — Meet Santa at the Vue Hotel.

8:05a.m. — Leave with Santa

DUNKERRON SUBDIVISION: Including Briarwood Road, Tanglewood Road and Rollingwood Drive.

HIGHLAND SUBDIVISION: Including Pecan Way, Woodville Drive, MacGregor Drive, Stahlman Street.

THE TREES SUBDIVISION: Including, Live Oak Drive and Pecanwood Drive. Then to U.S. 61 South and proceed to Club Drive.

9:15 a.m. — Stop No. 1 (invited guests only)

9:45 a.m. — Proceed to U.S. 61 North to the Fatherland Subdivision.

FATHERLAND SUBDIVISION ANDMONTEBELLO SUBDIVISION: Including North Temple Road, N. Meadow Drive to Jeff Davis Boulevard, South Meadow Road, Forrest Drive, S. Temple Road, Mansfield Drive, Melrose-Montebello Parkway, Arrowhead Drive, Creekbend Road, Eastwood Road, Oakwood Lane,  Maplewood Lane, Westwood Road, Sherwood Drive, Ridgewood Road, S. Shields Lane and Eastbrook Road.

EASTBROOK SUBDIVISION AND WESTOVER SUBDIVISION: Including, Eastbrook Road, John Glenn Drive, Earhart Drive,  Lindbergh Avenue, Margaret Avenue and Liberty Road to Main Street

10:25 a.m. — Stop No. 2 (invited guests only)

10:45 a.m. — Depart  to Orleans Street, Homochitto Street, Winchester Road, Auburn Avenue, Ratcliff Place and Melrose Avenue.

ROSELAWN AND GLENWOOD SUBDIVISION: Including Roselawn Drive, Itasca Drive, Marquette Avenue, Miller Avenue, Wood Avenue  and Glenwood Drive.

11:15 a.m. — Braden School Auditorium — Children’s Christmas Tree Fund.

12:15 p.m. — Lunch at the Hotel Vue 130 John R. Junkin Drive

1  p.m. —  To Canal Street, Madison Street, Maple Street, Elm Street, N. Union Street to Natchez Children’s Services.

1:15 p.m. — Natchez Children’s Services — 806 N. Union St.

2 p.m. — To Woodlawn Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Street, Washington Street and Canal Street.

2:10 p.m. — Stop No. 3

2:40 p.m. — Depart to Franklin Street to Morgantown Road.

OAKLAND SUBDIVISION: Including Oakland Drive

BROOKLYN SUBDIVISION: Including Second Street, Brooklyn Drive, Magnolia Avenue and Brookfield Drive.

BROOKFIELD SUBDIVISION: Including Brookfield Drive, Horseshoe Drive and Morgantown Road then to U.S. 61 South, Blue Ridge Drive  and Colony Drive.

3:10 p.m. — Stop No. 4  (Invited guests only)