The Cahaba Center for Mental Health was filled with Christmas spirit Wednesday. Downstairs, people joined Selma Mayor George Evans in lighting the Christmas tree, touring the annual Christmas Village and browsing through the ceramic holiday decorations on sale.

Upstairs, members of the Cahaba Center choir performed Christmas favorites, and in another room, Santa Claus himself made a special appearance to share refreshments with those in attendance.

The event, Cahaba Center executive director Lafon Barlow said, was a heart-warming continuance of what has become a Christmas tradition.

“We are just ticked,” she said. “The support from the community has been tremendous. We expected quite a few people, but we were shocked at how many came in so early in the day.”

Barlow said the support the Cahaba Center for Mental Health receives for each event always amazes her. The Christmas Village, she said, was another pleasant surprise.

“We are very grateful to have a community that supports us,” she said. “We get as much, or more support than some of the facilities in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. That support is extremely important as there are more and more budget cuts for programs.”

Community support, Barlow said, was a boost for those who worked to produce the crafts for the Christmas Village.

“It means so much to everyone to have their work appreciated,” she said. “It’s great that we live in an area that is so supportive of those with mental illness or substance abuse problems.”