Watson Realty Corp. Realtor Sallie Ross will kick off the season of giving this year with the Watson Realty Fleming Island “Jingle Jam” on Dec. 1.
The annual event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Watson Realty Corp. office at 4729 US 17 S Fleming Island. This is a charity event for AMIkids and Toys for Tots.
Sallie and her husband, Fred, another member of the Ross Team at Watson Realty Corp., have worked the last eight years, dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, for an annual free photos-with-Santa event at the Watson Realty Corp. Fleming Island office.
Fred and Sallie are members of the “International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas” (IBRBS). Sallie noted the IBRBS’ mission is “to keep Christmas magic in the hearts of children of all ages and the real meaning of Christmas by creating an international Christmas community.”
“We’ll have bouncy houses, face painting, train rides, Clay County Cruzer Classic Cars, Craft Fair and food trucks,” Sallie added. “Teens come and dress up as characters and go around meeting kids and taking pictures. All of this is free, except the craft show and food trucks.”
For the parents, the Jingle Jam will include a craft fair and a classic car show.
“Fred and I are members of a classic car club called Clay County Cruzers,” Sallie said. “As an organization, they provide scholarships for teens going into the auto and motorcycle industry…,” Sallie noted. “I'm very big on helping young women and men move forward.”
Sallie has family members with Down syndrome and another with a form of Asperger syndrome.
“The Christmas season is when my team gives back to the community,” Sallie said. “The Jingle Jam kicks off our season to work for numerous organizations, including special needs schools and organizations that work on behalf of kids with Down syndrome and autism, and some churches. We also work with a nonprofit organization that grants the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses.”
