Christmas at the Classic Center Starts Saturday

Christmas at the Classic Center is running Dec. 14-22. There will be ice skating, train rides, a bouncy house, breakfast with Santa, a Festival of 50 Christmas Trees, crafts in Santa's Workshop, The Nutcracker ballet and more. General admission is $3 a person, which sets you up for a variety of activities. For more information, click here. 

If all the activities and festivities aren't enough to convince you to attend, here's another reason: the proceeds will benefit Extra Special People (ESP), a nonprofit organization in Watkinsville that serves area children with special needs. 

What does ESP mean to participating families? Here's what one mom had to say:

"My seven-year-old son is a member of ESP, and this organization has provided tremendous support for my entire family, from offering after-school and summer camp opportunities for my son to providing parenting support for me. He was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in January 2013, and ESP has played a critical role in helping my family grapple with this diagnosis, deal with challenging behavior, navigate the IEP process at school and learn about services in the area. Above and beyond that, ESP is an empowering place where my son receives positive attention and unconditional belonging. He is learning to be proud of what makes him different, instead of feeling ostracized or ashamed. Children with Asperger's Syndrome often have a hard time with emotional regulation and social skills. ESP provides amazing opportunities for skill building in both areas. He is learning that other children have challenges as well and that it can feel good to work together and help his ESP buddies. Raising a child with special needs can be emotionally and physically exhausting. It can also be incredibly isolating. Having a safe, positive place where your child thrives and is accepted wholeheartedly means so much!"