Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club holds Breakfast with Santa event

EXETER – A Wyoming Area Kiwanis tradition continued for the 26th year on Dec. 1 when the club held Breakfast with Santa at the Wyoming Area cafeteria, serving over 350 breakfasts along with keeping Santa Claus a busy fellow.

Breakfast with Santa is one of the club’s biggest fundraisers throughout the year. It’s a chance to bring a child or grandchild to sit on Santa’s lap and ask for those last-minute Christmas wishes.

In addition to sitting with Santa, kids had a chance to walk through Santa-land made up of Christmas trees and decorations. This year, elves were hidden among the decorations and children had to locate as many as possible to pick up a prize. At the end of the day, five live Christmas trees were raffled.

Gift baskets were also raffled, a selfie station offered participants the opportunity to have their photo taken and sent to their phone, a letter station was set up where children were able to write a letter to Santa with Christmas wishes and, of course, an arts and crafts station, as well as photos with Santa were offered at Breakfast with Santa.

“In addition to a traditional breakfast, we have students from the Builders Club from Wyoming Area and Wyoming Catholic and servers and bussers from Key Clubbers from Wyoming Area and, this year, we are offering a free meal to (Armed Forces) veterans,” said Michael Coolbaugh, Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club chairperson for the event. “This is one of our main fundraisers throughout the year to support the youth programs and playgrounds in the area.”

Jerry and Christa Mecadon, new parents of just 10 months, brought along their son A.J. to meet Santa Claus for the first time.

“I’ve been supporting Kiwanis for many years; they do great work,” said Jerry Mecadon, a former Kiwanian. “This has grown into a really nice event and it’s a wonderful thing for the community. This is actually A.J.’s very first time meeting Santa.”

“I like it so far. I got to go through Santa-land and visit with Santa,” said Kelsey Jones, 10. “I asked Santa for a basketball.”

“I liked being with Santa and with my friend Kelsey,” added Taylor Van Scoy, 10. “As soon as we got here, we did the Elves and Santa before having breakfast.”

Andrew Androne, 8, and his sister Emily, 5, pass on their Christmas wishes to Santa Claus during the Wyoming Area Kiwanis Breakfast with Santa at the Wyoming Area High School cafeteria.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_Kiwanis-Santa-Breakfast-1.jpgAndrew Androne, 8, and his sister Emily, 5, pass on their Christmas wishes to Santa Claus during the Wyoming Area Kiwanis Breakfast with Santa at the Wyoming Area High School cafeteria. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Ten-month old A.J. Mecadon, held by his mom, Christa, is a bit young to understand the magic of Christmas, but certainly dressed the part for Breakfast with Santa.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_Kiwanis-Santa-Breakfast-2.jpgTen-month old A.J. Mecadon, held by his mom, Christa, is a bit young to understand the magic of Christmas, but certainly dressed the part for Breakfast with Santa. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Four-year-old Mason Jones proudly shows off his holiday socks as he and his family register.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_Kiwanis-Santa-Breakfast-3.jpgFour-year-old Mason Jones proudly shows off his holiday socks as he and his family register. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Santa’s helper and Wyoming Area Kiwanian Jackie Kasa, left, gives a helping hand to Taylor Van Scoy, 10, center, and Kelsey Jones, 10, at the Elf Gift Table.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_Kiwanis-Santa-Breakfast-4.jpgSanta’s helper and Wyoming Area Kiwanian Jackie Kasa, left, gives a helping hand to Taylor Van Scoy, 10, center, and Kelsey Jones, 10, at the Elf Gift Table. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Searching for as many hidden elves as possible, 6-year-old J.D. Dessoye carefully marks off another elf at the Kiwanis Santa-land display.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/web1_Kiwanis-Santa-Breakfast-5.jpgSearching for as many hidden elves as possible, 6-year-old J.D. Dessoye carefully marks off another elf at the Kiwanis Santa-land display. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch