It was a magical night on Sunday, November 21, 2021 for our second annual Holiday Drive-In with Santa presented by Birmingham Mom Collective and Ascension St. Vincent’s! Lots of Birmingham families gathered at the Grand River Drive-In to watch the movie A Christmas Story, take a photo with Santa, eat yummy treats, get a fabulous swag bag, and meet our sponsors.
PRESENTING SPONSORS
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Ascension St. Vincent’s was founded in 1898 and specializes in medical services including oncology, cardiology, women’s and children’s services, orthopedics/sports medicine, neurology, community/corporate wellness services, and surgical services. St. Vincent's Birmingham has a long history of recognition, including being named the “Best Hospital to Have a Baby,” “Best Birthing Suites,” “Favorite Hospital,” and the Most Wired list for Hospitals and Health Networks.
CO-TITLE SPONSORS
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For over 55 years, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital has focused on delivering innovative eye care and pioneering breakthroughs in the preservation and restoration of eyesight. Our outstanding services and accomplishments include one of the few facilities in the world entirely dedicated to advancements in ophthalmology, one of only two Level 1 Ocular Trauma Centers in the United States with a 24/7 eye emergency department, only dedicated facility in Alabama specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of the eye!
The UAB Women and Infants Center is a world-class health care facility dedicated solely to the care of women and infants. From surgical care to routine outpatient office visits, we offer complete care for mother and baby under one roof. The state-of-the-art facility offers a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere and expert medical staff. UAB is the only hospital in the state with high-risk maternal and fetal physicians available in-house 24/7 and the only Maternity Evaluation Unit.
The Location
The Grand River Drive-In was the perfect setting for this outdoor family Christmas event. Located in Leeds, the Grand River Drive-In has 4 screens, a snack shack, a hangout area with games and a stage, a mini-golf course, and is attached to the Grand River Outlets.
Eat and Drink
Every family got a meal voucher for a free 32 oz popcorn, candy, and drink sponsored by UAB Callahan Eye Hospital. The drive-in has a Snack Shack with great food and families can eat dinner at Saw’s BBQ and Neighbors Brew and Pies.
Santa Claus
Ho ho ho! Santa Claus parked his sleigh on the stage at the drive-in! He took photos and chatted with families, and delighted kids of all ages.
Decor
The giant wreath and reindeer balloon creation that surrounded Santa was provided by The Rainbow Balloon Company. These gals go above and beyond to create something that was beyond our wildest dreams. Contact them if you need something to take your event or party to the next level!
Non-Profit Partner
This year’s non-profit partner for Holiday Drive-In with Santa was Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama! In order to take a professional photo with Santa, attendees brought a household item or monetary donation to this non-profit at the event. Some of the items they are in need of are on this list: https://www.rmhca.org/how-can-you-help/our-wish-list/.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama provides comfort, hope and care for thousands of families each year. The best known program, the Ronald McDonald House, has 73 guest suites. They manage 2 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms and a Happy Wheels cart.
FREE MINI GOLF
Every family at Holiday Drive-In with Santa got a free round of mini golf in The Backyard! The mini golf course is located next to the Santa stage.
THE PIXEL ROOM DISCOUNT
GIVEAWAYS
We had 2 special giveaways for this event. One family won 4 Super Passes to Dollywood for the entire 2022 season by getting the most votes on the Photo Contest held 2 weeks after the event. Congrats to the ‘Santa Baby’ family on winning!
Another family won 4 one-day passes to Alabama Adventure and Splash Adventure by taking a photo and posting it to social media and tagging Birmingham Mom Collective on Instagram and Birmingham Mom Collective on Facebook and using the hashtag #bmcholidaydrivein21. Congrats to the Rutland family on winning this giveaway!
The Movie
You’ll shoot your eye out, kid! For Holiday Drive-In with Santa, we showed the movie A Christmas Story. We love this movie set in the 1940’s, about a young boy Ralphie who wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas.
Swag
Our fabulous swag bags were filled to the brim with fun (and much needed!) items for both kids and adults. Some of the highlights were a St. Vincent’s Hospital tote bag, an Aviate hat, a UAB Callahan Eye Hospital cup, a Lolly Crayons gingerbread crayon, a UAB Women and Infant Center ice pack, a Chick-Fil-A Helena meal card (valid at all Alabama Chick-Fil-A’s), a Taco Mama $5 off card, a The Pencil Grip Kwik Stix prize pack, a Liberty Park Pediatric Dentistry bamboo tooth brush, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama hand sanitizer, and more!
For all of the photographs from Holiday Drive-In with Santa, check out Facebook Album 1 and Facebook Album 2.
Images from the event provided by Je Vois Photography.
Images from the event provided by Kristen Pender Photography.
