Santa Claus sure had his fill on Dec. 2, with 200 breakfasts served to 100 Mile residents at the Creekside Seniors Activity Centre.
“It went very well,” said Valerie Streber, who organized the Breakfast with Santa event. “The kids started to arrive before 8:30 in the morning and we went full force with our volunteers right until 11.”
The big man and children had pancakes and sausages for breakfast, with Gourmet Burger Revolution donating the mix to make the pancakes.
In addition to a free breakfast, children had a chance to win a Christmas Tree or a FurReal Chatty Charlie the Barking Beagle, a toy dog who understands and responds to 80 phrases by entering a raffle ticket for $0.25.
The money from the ticket goes directly back to the event for next year.
“The raffle pays for [next year] and the raffle prizes and it’s just a little thrill for the kids and it goes right back into breakfast with Santa,” said Streber.
She first organized the event four years ago because she felt it would be nice for the community to have one. She admits she always worried about people not coming or not getting enough volunteers to help but with 20 volunteers and 200 breakfasts served, it seems the event is a hit.
The big highlight for Streber is the children though.
“Just watching the kids’ joy when Santa came in,” she said.”Watching the kids with their pretty dresses and nice suits sitting on Santa’s lap and telling him what they want for Christmas.”