APPLETON, Wis. (NBC 26) — The Northeast Wisconsin organization African Heritage, Inc. hosted its first annual 'A Soulful Holiday Village.' And for some local families, it was a night to remember.
Appleton resident Aaron Wheeler was in attendance at the Boys & Girls Club of the Fox Valley. Wheeler was born with half a heart, one working lung and he's living with autism.
His mother says Saturday night's event meant a lot to the family because Wheeler has spent most of his life in the hospital. Their highlight was meeting Black Santa.
"This meant a lot to us, because he got to see his first Black Santa, which is cool because you see the traditional Santa which is white and it's cool for them to see something different and somebody they can relate to," mother Miracle Wheeler said.
'A Soulful Holiday Village' also included a toy giveaway, family portraits, a holiday train ride and free soul food to-go.
Organizers say hundreds of families from across the state joined in on the fun.
