It was an early Christmas for some Atlantic City children Thursday, courtesy of the city's Re-entry Services.

The Reunification Winter Youth Seminar welcomed about 80 children and their parents for a night of fun, food and gifts.

The night was the brainchild of Michele Griffin, who heads the city's Re-entry Services, explained Mona Tally, assistant director of Health and Human Services, which oversees the division.

It was a celebration for those children who have a parent who is currently incarcerated or has been incarcerated in the past two years.

Everything was donated, costing the city nothing, Tally said.

Atlantic City youth also were working the event, as the teens employed under the anti-violence division — known as One Neighborhood  Evolution — manned the various tables that included a photo area, where the kids could decorate frames to take home their picture commemorating the night.

There also were bounce houses and a face painter, and lots of presents. 

Bicycles were raffled off, but every child was going home with a gift, Tally said.

There was something for the parents as well.

Bashira Khan was giving a seminar about the challenges of being a single parent and financial literacy.

This was the first year for the event but Griffin is hoping to make it an annual celebration.

Atlantic City children with a parent who has been incarcerated got a night of fun and early Christmas gifts Thursday night, courtesy of Atlantic City's Re-entry Services.