Sleigh Society Holds Compassionate Santa Workshop
More than 50 Santa Claus performers attended the first compassionate performer workshop in Marietta, held at the Hilton Marietta Conference Center.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Sleigh Society, a nonprofit cofounded by Michelle and Paul Smith of Smyrna, held its first compassionate performer workshop for Santa Claus performers at the Hilton Marietta Conference Center. The three-day workshop covered handling challenging situations and building resilience and mental health care for performers.
Why it matters
The workshop aims to prepare performers for sensitive interactions with vulnerable patients during the holidays. The Smiths hope hospitals will eventually require performers to obtain compassionate performer certificates before entertaining ill children.
More than 50 Santa Claus performers attended the three-day workshop, which was the Sleigh Society's first. The extraction does not specify any funding totals or comparable figures from prior events.
The players
Sleigh Society
A nonprofit organization cofounded by Michelle and Paul Smith that officially earned its nonprofit status earlier this year.
Michelle Smith
Cofounder of The Sleigh Society and a Smyrna resident who has performed for children across Cobb County and metro Atlanta.
Paul Smith
Cofounder of The Sleigh Society whose sister's dementia diagnosis and parents' long career as Mr. and Mrs. Claus motivated the workshop.
The details
Medical and healthcare professionals took part in a panel discussion, and performers shared questions and tips during the workshop. The Smiths were inspired by Paul Smith's sister's early-onset dementia diagnosis and his parents' more than 25 years performing as Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026: The Sleigh Society officially earned nonprofit status.
2026 (late October): The first compassionate performer workshop was held in Marietta.
Philanthropy Context
The Sleigh Society's workshop applies to seasonal entertainers the kind of training hospitals already require of volunteers who work with ill children. The extraction does not identify a specific named program or precedent to anchor this further.
Families in Marietta and nearby communities may see performers trained for sensitive hospital visits during the holiday season. The workshop's training topics focus on handling challenging situations and mental health care for performers.
The takeaway
Entertainers who visit children in hospitals can benefit from training in emotional resilience and sensitive interaction. Community members interested in similar work may consider how volunteer preparation shapes care for vulnerable patients.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage from Marietta.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northwest Georgia News.
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Would you volunteer to entertain children in hospitals during the holidays?
