A Season of Inclusion: Santa's Garage - Our 1st Annual Sponsorship/Partnership

On December 21, 2025, Major Connections was honored to help host and sponsor a community Santa event alongside Adrian’s Garage and Ducky Design & Sign. What made this event especially meaningful was the intentional inclusion woven into every part of the day, starting with a three-hour sensory-friendly Santa experience designed to meet families exactly where they were.

Major Connections proudly sponsored and supported the sensory hours, which were appointment-based to ensure minimal wait times, reduced lighting, and lower noise levels. Families who felt they would benefit from a sensory-friendly environment were welcomed without the need for a diagnosis or explanation.

Children were able to enter immediately, participate at their own pace, and enjoy the experience without pressure or overstimulation. After the sensory hours concluded, the event opened to the general public, ultimately welcoming more than 400 people throughout the day.

As part of our commitment to meaningful inclusion, Major Connections brought thoughtfully selected gifts for children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. Every item was chosen through the lens of our professional experience as speech and physical therapists, with careful consideration for sensory needs, mobility access, cultural representation, and developmental variety. Gifts included fidget toys, adaptive toys, balls, puzzles, sensory tools, slime, Play-Doh, and figurines that reflected wheelchair users, diverse ethnicities, and a wide range of abilities. The goal was simple but intentional: every child should feel seen, included, and genuinely excited about what they received.

In addition to the sensory-friendly Santa experience and inclusive gifts, Major Connections sponsored an Xbox giveaway that families could enter simply by attending the event. There was no cost, no barrier, and no extra steps. The excitement from the children was palpable, and it was a powerful reminder that inclusion can also be joyful, celebratory, and fun.

One of the most meaningful parts of the day came in the quiet moments as families left. Parents shared their gratitude for an experience that felt welcoming and thoughtfully designed, often expressing how rare it was to attend a holiday event that truly considered sensory and mobility needs from the start. Those conversations reaffirmed why this work matters and why we continue to show up.

We are also deeply grateful for the generosity that made this event possible. A significant donation came from Beast Games contestants who chose to support our mission, along with contributions from friends, families, and community members who believe in building spaces where everyone belongs. That support fuels not only events like this one, but the larger vision we are actively working toward.

This Santa event was more than a holiday celebration. It was a reflection of what inclusive community spaces can look like when intention, expertise, and heart come together. We are thankful to our co-hosts, volunteers, donors, and every family who trusted us with their experience. Moments like these move us closer to our goal of creating permanent, accessible spaces where connection, dignity, and joy are always the priority.