Pictures With Santa open to children
Published 12:05 am Wednesday, December 4, 2019
- Anitra Blue-Francis and her daughter, Avery, share a smile at last year’s Pictures With Santa Event.
LAPLACE — In the summer of 2017, Byron Francis Jr. posted a Facebook video of himself imitating the iconic Santa Claus “Ho, Ho, Ho.” Friends took note of his full beard and deep, belly voice and suggested he play Santa at Christmastime.
That comment sparked a charity event that has allowed his wife, Anitra Blue-Francis, to share her passion for the community and inspire the future leaders of tomorrow.
The third annual Pictures With Santa charity event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at 321 Events LLC, located at 301 W. Airline Highway Suite 201 in LaPlace.
Christmas treats await those who attend this year’s Pictures With Santa event.
Children will get into the holiday spirit while decorating Christmas cookies, trying their luck at exciting door prizes and, of course, meeting Santa and his elves. Parents will enjoy the convenience of low-cost photo packages printed onsite, in addition to cash gift card raffles to lessen the expenses associated with the holiday season.
At the start of every hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Blue-Francis will pull a parent’s name to win an American Express or Visa gift cards. The prize money will start at $25 and increase every hour.
All will love small bite appetizers, drinks, party favors and gift giveaways. After taking professional pictures with Santa courtesy of Michelle Claborn Photography, families can receive two 5x7s and four wallet prints for only $20. Every child will leave with an ornament that has Blue-Francis’ contact information and space for display the Santa photo. Ornaments double as magnets and can either hang from the Christmas tree or stick to the fridge.
Winners of each age division in the cookie decorating contest will receive a Christmas stocking packed with age appropriate prizes.
“I wanted to provide the child with something academic and fun,” Blue-Francis said. “It will include something age appropriate that is related to financial planning and something to remember the real reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ.”
For Blue-Francis, the Pictures with Santa charity event is part of a much larger goal.
Over the past 12 years, she has grown a national financial planning practice that has allowed her to work with established professionals, business owners and retirees. She grew up in St. Charles Parish but has called St. John Parish home for the past decade, and she knows the importance proper financial planning can have on the health of a community.
“My vision is to bring awareness to the importance of what I do and who I serve in the community (through Northwestern Mutual),” Blue-Francis said. “I serve families and businesses to help them leave a legacy for their children and their children’s children. I impact the lives of the people that you love the most.”
Blue-Francis reminds residents to protect their families in case of unexpected sickness, injury or death. She advocates for planning college funds to prepare children for higher education with minimal student loan debt.
The Pictures With Santa event also exposes children to positive role models. Her husband is also a business owner who manages investment properties through Elite Homes and Construction.
“Growing up, it’s important to see yourself in other successful people,” Blue-Francis said. “We want children to see successful business owners who look like them and have an opportunity to share in the joys of the season through the gifts of food, fellowship and fun.”
Blue-Francis is expecting at least 100 children to attend the event this year. She is still seeking sponsors for the cookie decorating contest. For more information, please contact Blue-Francis at 504-237-2541 or at anitra.blue@nm.com.
