By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – The Humboldt/Dakota City Noon Kiwanis are now going to be offering Christmasland through a virtual format in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.
COVID-19 will not have the opportunity to steal the Christmas spirit from Humboldt this holiday season. Despite not being able to open Christmasland in person this year, the Noon Kiwanis will still be offering virtual visits with Santa and a video tour. Secretary of the Club Kent Thompson shares details with KHBT.
He says that despite worries and fears they found a way to make it happen. “We’re really excited that we have this opportunity” Thompson says. The club feared that the pandemic would keep them from providing the opportunity to children to visit Santa this winter. Thanks to modern technology the Noon Kiwanis has the opportunity to offer what they are calling “Zoom with Santa.”
Zoom with Santa will be offered for about two weeks leading up to Christmas. Thompson says that they will be doing it “nightly starting on Friday, Dec. 11.” The nightly chance to meet with Santa will be offered until Dec. 23. Each night the hours will be 5:30 pm to 8 pm. On any of those night anyone can log on to virtually meet with Santa before the Holidays. Thompson also says there will be a chance on Christmas Eve from 12 pm to 2:30 pm to Zoom with Santa.
Thompson says that with this year being drastically impacted by the pandemic the opportunity to still provide visits with Santa is critical. “Oh very important” he says. The secretary of the club says that one individual in the club who is very “tech savvy” was determined to make this happen. “And he just said, ‘Christmas is going to be cancelled, kids got to have Santa’” Thompson says. He hopes that this virtual opportunity provides that chance for Santa to come into the lives of local area children.
To participate in Zoom with Santa individuals will need to download to Zoom app from the Android Play Store or Apple Store. For computers the app can be downloaded at Zoom.us. The meeting ID is 6628882666 with the passcode 2020. Microphone and camera abilities are needed to participate.
Zoom with Santa is a 2020 way to allow children to meet with Santa this holiday season thanks to the Humboldt/Dakota City Noon Kiwanis.