Santa23

Kids meet Santa at Local 249

By Cecelia Davis

Wintertime is such an exciting time of the year. There are so many fun activities for families to do. One event that is always a guarantee for fun is at our very own Local 249 Breakfast with Santa. It is an event where our union’s Women’s Committee makes delicious breakfast treats while Santa and his friends greet you with open arms.

Kids’ laughter guided you in the right direction as you entered the union hall. The ladies from the Women’s Committee presented you with goodie bags the shape of Christmas stockings that consist of candy, popcorn, coloring books, fidget toys and other variety of small toys for the kids to tinker with.

Once kids entered the Whoville themed party, there were options for different breakfast selections. They offered fluffy pancakes, sausage, and bacon submerged in maple syrup. Then there was an option for creating your own parfait at the yogurt bar with a variety of fruit.

After filling your belly up with the most delightful food, Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves were waiting to hear how great the children have behaved all year. Families could come take a snapshot with Santa and his crew. After waiting in line to see the jolly man and his friends, you had the chance to vote on who had created the best gingerbread man out of the twelve active standing committees.

Although every committee had created such fantastic masterpieces, the first place went to the Women’s committee, the second went to the Member to Member Committee and last place went to the Chaplaincy Committee. There was also a silent auction with various items for anyone and everyone.

The fun did not stop there. There were arts and craft stations where the children had the option to make an ornament, a picture frame and some reindeer treats to guide Santa and his reindeers to your house on Christmas eve. If these activities tired you out but you didn’t want to leave the party, the women’s committee provided a special section where you could kick back and watch a Christmas themed-movie while you indulge the gourmet multiflavored popcorn you received when you entered the door.

The time had come when Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves had to go back to the workshop, but the fun did not have to stop, for the Women’s Committee had planned to change the event to Whoville. They welcomed you to stay, but they geared this time of the event towards the older kids.

“This was the best,” said nine year-old Jakobe Christensen, who accompanied his retired grandfather Gary Davis. “My favorite part was making the ornaments and seeing Santa again. Oh, and the sweet bacon. It was yummy.” Sounds like the Women’s Committee has fulfilled the interest of their targeted audience.

“Breakfast with Santa has been going on successfully for quite a few years for our union families,” said Robin Taylor, chairperson of the Women’s Committee.

“This year we incorporated games with Santa after breakfast as opposed to the craft fair that we had earlier. That gave children above the age of six something to do other than just sit with Santa. That gives them the opportunity to chat, win some prizes and play some different games that are age appropriate for them and to also have some interaction with their family,” she said.

Breakfast with Santa was open to every age bracket. There were about roughly 75 to 115 people who filtered in and out of the event.

The breakfast with Santa and Whoville event by the Women’s Committee was phenomenal. This is an annual event you don’t want to miss next year. It only gets bigger and better. Thank you Local 249 for hosting this event.