Santa Claus returned to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for some additional Christmas cheer at the Salt River Education Services campus on December 20 for the school’s “Jingle Jog” fun run event. 

Faculty and staff from the elementary school and the Accelerated Learning Academy lined up along Highland Avenue with holiday-themed posters and Christmas decorations to support and encourage the students as they jogged their holiday lap. 

To make the fun run an even more fantastic celebration, Salt River Materials Group purchased and donated Santa Claus hats for every student. “They [SRMG] were wonderful in donating these Santa hats,” proclaimed Principal Barbara Wilkinson. Certain students chose to write out their names in glitter and gold on their Santa hats. 

Waiting for them with hugs and high-fives at the finish line was Santa Claus and Artie the Artichoke from Scottsdale Community College. Both greeted the students as they sprinted down the final steps of the jingle jog lap. 

Returning to the North Pole at the conclusion, Santa waved goodbye to all the students, faculty and staff and promised to return on Christmas Day with presents and holiday cheer for all.