Pleasantville Mom Gives Foster Kids A Visit From Santa

From JCCA

The holiday season can be tough on children involved in the child welfare system, especially if they aren’t able to celebrate with their families. For kids currently living at JCCA’s residential campus in Pleasantville, one local mom makes sure they still get a visit from Santa. For years now, Phyllis Snyder has dressed up as Santa herself to deliver gifts to a group of boys that she and local friends volunteer with regularly.

“The boys come from a lot of different family situations and this time of year can be difficult for them,” she said. “They are at the school to get counseling and support, and the staff at JCCA work with them to hopefully get back to their families. As a mom myself it’s important for me to be able to come here and give them support, and a day of happiness.”

“Some of the kids are skeptical at first and say, ‘You’re not Santa!’ but when I call them up by name and give them their gift, all of sudden, I am Santa to them,” she said. “They know I’m a mom, it’s just great to see them laugh and have a fun day, when I know they are dealing with some often very serious things.”

In the past, gifts from the volunteer group have included clothing and toys, but this year Phyllis and her friends found out the boys’ Christmas wish lists, surprising them with items they had wanted. Her tradition is to call each one up individually and ask what they’re thankful for as they receive their gifts and a stocking full of everyday essentials.

Phyllis has volunteered with JCCA for over 17 years, organizing a “lunch bunch” with friends where they take turns bringing a hot meal and a fun activity to the boys’ cottage once a month.
Her two now-grown children organized similar lunch groups with their own friends during their middle and high school years, and her husband has volunteered as a tutor for JCCA students.

About Pleasantville Cottage School

Located on JCCA’s Westchester Campus, Pleasantville Cottage School is one of the oldest and most respected residential treatment programs for children in the child welfare system in the U.S. Home to emotionally troubled boys and girls, ages 7-16, its philosophy is that the child is part of a family that must be engaged and helped so that the child can safely return home permanently. Every aspect of the children’s lives is considered part of their treatment, and days are highly structured and monitored. Young people participate in daily community meetings and group therapy, attend school, and participate in job skills workshops, internships, a youth advisory council and community employment opportunities. Over 50,000 youth have been served on campus since its opening over 100 years ago.