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The magic of the season was alive and well in the Burlington Mall Sunday.
"It's a lot different than a normal day. It's real special. It's very very special," said Santa.
Ten-year-old Matty had never been to the mall to see Santa until Sunday.
"I think it's amazing. He couldn't do Santa before this. He couldn't wait in line, they shut the flash off for him. He has epilepsy. It's just been really good for him," said Michelle Abott, Matty's mother .
Matty and many of the other kids snapping photos with Santa were part of Simon Malls' "Caring Santa" program. For kids who have special needs and can't deal with the normal activity of waiting in line or flash photography, it's a day of typical Christmas fun. The mall opens early just for the kids and their families.
"There's a need for this. There are a lot of families that haven't had the chance to get visits and photos with Santa in the past and they love that opportunity. They love the opportunity to visit with Santa and give him their wish list," said Aaron Yust with Simon Malls.
The same sparkle and magic of the season was there.
"It's a good way for the kids who couldn't otherwise wait in line or be in the mall with all of the other people and sit with Santa and just get the same experience that the other kids get," said Lisa Costantiello, a mom whose child is part of the program.
This was the fifth year of the program and 66 families signed up to be part of the special day.
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