PORTSMOUTH — Santa Claus is partnering with local emergency responders and Edmarc, a children’s hospice and palliative care nonprofit, to spread some early Christmas cheer throughout Hampton Roads on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Edmarc’s annual Santa Run delivers not just gifts but a powerful reminder of the love and support that exists in the community, according to the nonprofit, bringing joy to families like that of 8-year-old Tyler, who has Leukodystrophy, a rare and challenging genetic disorder.
“Edmarc’s nurses have been with us for most of Tyler’s life, offering not just medical care but compassion, understanding, and friendship. They’ve become part of our extended family,” said Tyler’s father, RC. “Beyond the essential care, Edmarc brings joy into Tyler’s life through events like Santa Run, where Santa rides up to our house with first responders or on Harley Davidsons surrounded by his ‘reindeer.’ Moments like these are magical, unforgettable, and a testament to the love and community Edmarc fosters.”
Edmarc celebrated the opening of its new Williamsburg facility in July.
The Santa Run is made possible by volunteers, donors, and community partners who embody the spirit of giving, according to the nonprofit. Edmarc’s Santa Run will team up with police and fire and rescue departments from Hampton Roads localities to deliver gifts to nearly 60 Edmarc client families. Volunteers will meet around 10:30 a.m. at various locations, then drive off at noon to cover stops on 10 routes throughout the day, it added.
“We feel deeply grateful,” shared Edmarc Executive Director Debbie Stitzer-Brame. “It’s a privilege to support children facing extraordinary challenges. Despite their struggles, these children still have reasons to smile, and we’re honored to be a part of that joy.”
According to Edmarc, families with medically fragile children face unique and profound challenges, and the holiday season often amplifies these pressures. The Santa Run aims to provide much-needed relief by easing the burdens of holiday bills, gift shopping, and concerns about illness exposure, it added, and gives families a chance to focus on their child’s health, happiness, and creating cherished memories.
“The Santa Run gives families a break from holiday pressures,” Stitzer-Brame explains. “It’s all about lifting their spirits, creating a sense of normalcy, and spreading the magic of the season.”
Edmarc’s mission is to ease the trauma of a child’s illness or death and to reduce the impact of pediatric illness, loss, and bereavement on families. The nonprofit’s team of nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, and over 150 volunteers provide compassionate care for children with complex medical needs and unwavering support for their families.
“The holidays can amplify feelings of isolation and fear,” Stitzer-Brame adds. “The Santa Run reminds these families they’re not alone, offering comfort and creating lasting memories filled with joy.”
Edmarc’s Santa Run will be held across Hampton Roads on Sunday, Dec. 15 beginning at 10 a.m. Volunteers will meet at various locations, then drive off at noon to cover stops on 10 routes over the next few hours.
For more information on Santa Run, contact Amy Arditi Kuzemka at kuzemkaa@edmarc.org or 757-870-0626 for those interested in taking part.
