TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Thursday is Thanksgiving, but a local group is already getting in the Christmas spirit!
It’s the annual “Mouse House” event. For more than 50 years, Tri Kappa has hosted the event with fun activities for all ages. One of the organizers, Pamela Malone, joined Shelby Reilly and David Shepherd live Wednesday morning on WTWO 6:30 Today to discuss the event. You can see the full interview above.
For some families, the annual event has become a holiday tradition.
“We all like the magic of the holiday season and, even within Mouse House, there are opportunities to be reminded of the things that we can be thankful for, that giving is better than receiving, and, we do a lot of things that are focused on groups that can sometimes be left out,” explains Malone.
The event will be on December 9 and 10 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Franklin Elementary School in Terre Haute.
Families can enjoy photos with Mrs. Mouse, a Secret Buying Room, cookie and ornament decorating, a Reindeer Bar and more. The cost is $2. All money goes toward local youth programs and organizations, including a scholarship fund.
Organizers to offer “sensory friendly” Mouse House event
A special sensory-friendly event will be held on December 11 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. This is for kids or family members that may be more comfortable with fewer crowds, less noise or dimmer lighting.
In general, sensory-friendly events provide a comfortable, protected and accepting environment for children who are hypersensitive to noise, crowds or lights, according to Autism Speaks, an organization that advocates for those with sensory challenges. It also allows parents to make connections with other families and offers new tools and resources.
