Local Family Wins Cutest Santa Photo Contest at Jefferson Valley Mall

The Haley family of Mahopac were presented with an array of prizes from Santa Claus at the Jefferson Valley Mall on Dec. 22 after winning the Cutest Santa Photo Contest. 

Michael and Kerri Haley, along with 4-year-old son Michael and 2-year-old daughter Saoirse won an all inclusive trip to Port St. Lucie, Florida; $250 in toys; a $250 giftcard and $1,200 in clothing.

Earlier this season, Michael and Saoirse Haley sat on Santa’s lap at the Jefferson Valley Mall and captured their charming winning photo. 

Originally from the Bronx, Kerri is a stay-at-home mom during the week to Michael, who loves play digging, construction and Power Rangers, and Saoirse, a ‘girly girl’ who enjoys baby dolls, dressing up in tutus and fun clothing. On weekends, Kerri is a per diem registrar at Hudson Valley Hospital in Cortlandt Manor. Michael Haley is originally from Limerick, Ireland and works as a miner six days a week.

While the Haley family is thrilled to win, they are also mindful of others who aren’t as fortunate and in the spirit of generosity, hey have decided to donate a portion of the clothing from Gymboree and toys to a local charity, Yorktown Love in Action, a non-profit organization that provides services to people in the community who have fallen on difficult times.

Founder Donna Simone has identified a local family to receive this donation – the father who is a mechanic at a local gas station walks to work; his wife who is finishing school in White Plains, travels to school by bus two times a week. 

"The Cutest Santa Photo Contest is delighted provide this little bit of extra Christmas cheer to Kerri, Michael, Michael and Saoirse and, by extension of their generosity, to Yorktown Love in Action, this holiday season," said Lauren Penchina, director of mall marketing for Jefferson Valley Mall. "The holidays are a special time for families to get together and Simon’s Jefferson Valley Mall, Visit Florida and Gymboree are happy to help make this Christmas a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience for this lucky family."