Santa "Cause" is Coming to Town!
Newport Children To Get Books and Holiday Spirit!

WHAT:  Santa Claus is coming to town early this season for nearly 600 Newport,Tenn, children from Save the Children’s literacy programs in Northwest Elementary and Bridgeport Elementary Schools. Bearing books and a “Be Merry” mission, Santa—from The Noerr Programs (that means a real beard and a real belly laugh)—will sleigh in from his temporary residence at Simon Property Group’s West Town Mall to read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to children from kindergarten to fifth grade, give new books to each child, and encourage Noerr’s BeMerry spirit of caring, sharing, good manners, helping others, and healthy choices.

WHO:  Save the Children and The Noerr Programs have teamed up for the second year of “The Santa Cause,” a partnership that values the act of giving back by emphasizing the importance of education support for underserved, struggling children living in rural America. Last year, Noerr raised more than $117,000 to support rural U.S. children in need. This year, The Santa Cause fundraising goal for Save the Children is $250,000.

Knoxville’s celebrity Santa is Santa Lee, a graduate of Noerr’s Santa University who holds court each holiday season at West Town Mall in Knoxville. The Santa Photo Experience at all Noerr Santa locations will be collecting donations for Save the Children throughout the holiday season, including West Town Mall and Knoxville Mall.

WHEN:  Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

WHERE: Northwest Elementary (344 Woodson Road, Newport, TN 37821)

9 a.m. – Santa arrives at school
9:15-9:45 a.m. – Santa reads to grades K-2
9:45-10:00 a.m. – Picture with Santa (grades K-5)
10:00-10:15 a.m. – Book distribution (grades K-2)
10:15-10:45 a.m. – Santa reads to grades 3-5
10:45-11:00 a.m. – Book distribution (grades 3-5)
11:00 -12:30 p.m. – Santa meets local media and lunches with children.
12:30 p.m. – Depart for Northwest Elementary

Bridgeport Elementary (1935 Edwina Bridgeport Road, Newport, TN 37821)
12:45 p.m. – Santa arrives at school
1:00-1:30 p.m. – Santa reads to children in grades K- 5
1:30-1:45 p.m. – Picture with Santa (grades K-5)
1:45-2:00 p.m. – Book distribution (grades K-5)
2:00 p.m. – Santa departs school

MORE INFORMATION: www.NoerrPrograms.com and facebook.com/BeMerrySanta

CONTACT: Noerr Programs—Ruth Rosenquist, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 602-505-6844
Save the Children—Jennifer Kaleba, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 202-640-6613

About Noerr Programs:
From headquarters in scenic Colorado, The Noerr Programs provides turn-key digital event imaging services and productions including The Santa Photo Experience and Bunny Photo Experience for hundreds of clients, including regional shopping centers, retailers and the legendary Shops at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. Celebrating 23 years in business, every Noerr cast member invests their heart, soul and experience into representing the spirit and essence of the season, building lasting connections with guests through Noerr's innovative retail, social media and altruistic platforms.

About Save the Children:
Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world.