Some holiday cheer and the chance to help a local family have a better Christmas. That’s the idea behind an event at the Ironton City Center Thursday evening.

The city will host its second annual Meet Santa at City Center from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the City Center lobby.

Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Pictures with Santa Claus are $5, and proceeds will benefit a family.

The city has chosen the family from an angel tree program. City officials will use the proceeds to shop for items that the family has requested.

Kristen Martin, city finance director, said in talking with the business owner where the city picked up the name of the family from the tree, she found out that the there were more than 300 families who are hoping to get sponsors from the program, compared with 100 last year.

“Obviously the need is there,” Martin said. “Ultimately that’s what Christmas is all about.”

Several of the city departments are contributing to the event, Martin said.

This year the chorus from Ironton High School will sing. Free hot chocolate and cookies will also be on hand.

Last year the event drew between 25 and 30 people but Martin is hoping there will be more because of advertising efforts. She said the event is one of the last opportunities children will have to tell Santa what they want for Christmas this year.

“It was fun last year and we decided to do it again,” she said.