Santa greets kids for breakfast
Santa Claus took some time out from his busy schedule on Saturday to enjoy a sit-down breakfast with Charles County children at La Plata Town Hall.
The Town of La Plata hosted Breakfast with Santa for families to enjoy activities and a Chickfil-A breakfast before taking pictures with the man in the big red suit.
Colleen Wilson, the town’s special events coordinator, said the town planned to have a family-friendly event where kids can come see Santa and have a good time in a stress-free environment.
“It’s a nice atmosphere we provide here at a small town event,” Wilson said. “During the busy holi- day season, to have that time with your family and spend that quality time together while visiting with Santa is important to our local families. I hope these families leave happy and are in the holiday spirit and with a smile on their face.”
According to Wilson, Chick-fil-A is always a great supporter of the event and Texas Road- house supplied many of the items that children took home in goodie bags. The event had help from partnerships and volunteers from LifeStyles Inc. and the La Pla- ta High School Key Club.
“Without them we couldn’t do this event,” Wilson said.
She said this year par- ents had to make a reser- vation online. The town accepted 25 children per time slot between 8 a.m. and noon, and fam- ily members could ac- company them. She said reservations filled fast, but it gave every kid a chance to have time with Santa without being too rushed.
“I’m glad my kids got an opportunity to see Santa,” said La Plata resident Balvin Brown Jr. “The town does a good job of hosting events for the children.”
His wife, Monise Brown, said this event is perfect for families and it gives the children an opportunity to enjoy the holidays and all the joy that it brings.
“My daughter loves to wave to Santa from a dis- tance, but this is my son’s first time meeting Santa and he loved every min- ute of it,” Monise said. “Christmas is such a wonderful time. They love all the activities that the town hall provides. All of their events are accessible to where we live. Everybody in the town loves it and registration was easy.”
La Plata resident Rhys Carlin, 5, said he told San- ta that he wanted snow outside and Lego Dimen- sions for Christmas.
“I want a big snow pile like we had last year,” Rhys said.
His father, John-Mi- chael Carlin, and mother, Ginger Carlin, said the Breakfast with Santa event brings the community together.
“It’s a cheerful way to celebrate the holidays,” John-Michael said. “It got us up early. We had Chick-fil-A chicken bis- cuits, cookies, grapes and candy canes. It’s always a good experience for the family. I know Santa is really busy, but he took the time to do this for the kids in La Plata.”
The La Plata High School Key Club volunteered its services at Breakfast with Santa, passing out breakfast and goodie bags to attendees. Volunteers Kinsey Tyler, 17; Taryn Ging, 17; Hannah Gill, 16; and Alex Gordon, 17, said they all enjoy participating in the community service events, especially the ones at the town hall.
“It’s fun to see all of the kids get really excited, sometimes it’s really hectic,” Tyler said.
Gordon said he used to come to the Breakfast with Santa event when he was a child and has more of an appreciation for the event now that he is older. He said Santa is for everyone, young and old, and he still has the same love for Santa even now as a teenager.