You may think the monsters at Universal Studios Hollywood are pretty heartless when they are chasing you with a chainsaw during the annual Halloween Horror Nights Event in the fall but you would be dead wrong. As spring ebbs into May, the same minds that scare show that they care with an annual event that is meant to give a much needed respite from everyday cares for the thousands in the community who are struggling.
Last Saturday Universal Studios Hollywood again partnered with M.E.N.D. to hold their 26th annual Christmas in Spring Event in Pacoima, CA. Christmas in Spring is a one-day event geared toward the less fortunate in the surrounding communities and gives them a day of food, presents, games, and even visits from Scooby Doo, Spongebob, and the Minions.
Despite the rainy weather that resembled an actual California winter, over 1,000 people from the surrounding areas descended upon M.E.N.D.’s community outreach center last Saturday. Bustling with joy and happiness the lot became a festive party with games, crafts, face-painting, food, music, and even Santa himself.
Dorothea Scattaglia, Director, Community Relations said “This is Universal Studios Hollywood’s 26th annual Christmas in Spring event. It’s one of our best traditions that we have as an organization because it’s a way for us to come together as a group and bring the best of what we have; our characters, our employees, and all of our resources and come to a place, into the community to give them a day to have fun.
It may seem like an odd time to celebrate Christmas but there is a method to the madness. As Scattaglia explains, “There really isn’t that much support at this time. Years ago when we created this event we wanted to do something during the traditional time and we were told, “Well everybody wants to do that.” so we thought, “We will create something different.” and that’s why we do an event at this time of year as well. It has built such momentum too. We keep growing out of spaces. This year we have 1,200 people even with the rain.”
Even our old friend, former USH Park President Larry Kurzweil was back to volunteer.
In developing the idea for a springtime Christmas event, things started small. “The event started closer to the studio at LA Family Housing. But it got too big, we couldn’t accommodate more than 300 people.” said Scattaglia. “When we partnered with M.E.N.D. there was a greater population that we could tap into. Today we invited 1,200 people and we have maxed out. That was all that we could invite.”
For the crowd of over 1,000 members of the community, there are approximately 150 employees including their families, a culinary team, and a catering team from Universal Studios Hollywood on hand to make May more merry.
Karen Irwin, President and C.O.O. of Universal Studios Hollywood , serves a youngster rom the community.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa. Visitors to the event were invited to say hi to St. Nick and get a picture with him, along with goofy Christmas costumes, and a present.
Employees and their families spend the day giving to the community.
Yes there is Christmas, presents, fun, but there is a much bigger point to it all. This event is the hallmark of the partnership between M.E.N.D. and Universal Studios Hollywood but there are even greater ways that they are partnering to enrich the lives of those in the community. Scattaglia said, “Our staff and team are working to give some of the members in the community jobs. There’s no better way of helping somebody than by helping them be independent. It’s a celebration today but then we think, ‘How can we REALLY make a difference and transform peoples’ lives?’ That’s really what we are doing.”
A free meal, presents, a visit with Santa, and a day where those who are less fortunate in the community can breathe easy and have fun are all nice, well and good. But Scattaglia boils it down to a singular purpose when she said, “The most important thing that we want people to know is that people in the community care about them. That’s really what it’s about.”
