The Birdie Thornton Center was bursting with Christmas spirit during their ever popular holiday program yesterday.

Just under 50 adults with special needs attend the day program where they learn everything from self-expression to independent living skills.

Staff members prepared for the event by decorating the walls of the recreation room with snowy scenes and hanging thousands of twinkling lights from the walls and ceiling.

Clients entertained guests while they ate, singing traditional Christmas carols from a decorated stage.

“I think this is our best turnout ever,” Kristy Allen, the center’s director, said. “I was scared half to death we’d run out of food.”

But they didn’t. They had plenty of barbecue to eat, cookies to decorate and coffee and warm apple cider to drink. Families, community members, first responders and clients mingled together, exchanging hugs and Christmas cheer.

“You don’t get anything but love when you walk through this door,” Cindy Jones said. Her son, Shane, has attended the program since he graduated from Decatur High School four years ago.

He was particularly excited about meeting Santa Claus, who was waiting patiently in his sleigh. One by one, clients sat down next to Santa (played by Ron Dunivant) to tell him what they wanted most for Christmas.

Shane asked for a goose call. His mom explained that his favorite pasttime involves calling birds from the passenger seat of his dad’s utility vehicle.

Dunivant, who volunteered his time to the center, said that this is his way of giving back to the community.