LEOMINSTER — The Breakfast with Santa event held last weekend brought extra holiday cheer to City Hall and everyone who attended the festive affair was filled with the spirit of the season.
During the two time slots available for registered participants, over 50 children and their families enjoyed the fourth annual Leominster Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) event on Dec. 6. Kids of all ages had the opportunity to take photos with Santa, access Santa’s sensory workshop provided by Project Apples/Leominster CFCE, visit the SEPAC Christmas craft corner, and access the quiet reading corner, where media specialists from Frances Drake Elementary School read a number of book selections while kids utilized flexible seating options including lounging in a cozy crash pad.
“We had volunteers on hand to ensure all the kids get to enjoy the experience of visiting Santa in their own way,” said Leominster SEPAC Vice President and Early Childhood Liaison Shannon LeClair, who helps organize the popular yearly event.
She went on to say that as the SEPAC board continues to grow, “we were excited to run this event with a full planning committee, rather than just one or two members.”
Other members of the SEPAC Breakfast with Santa planning committee include Veronica Chesson, Tina Ciccone, Jeff Damon, Maggie Goodgion, Amy Katon, Angela Thomas, Beth Whigham, and Lisa Wysock.
“The involvement of new voices and ideas really helped our event to blossom and evolve this year,” LeClair said of the dedicated group.
She reported that they “decided to step up” their breakfast game this year by offering pancakes, bacon, and sausage along with the usual buffet staples of yogurt, fruit, Danish pastries, donut holes, etc., a delicious spread that “comes together thanks to donations and the hard work of many volunteers.”
“Another addition this year was a coffee and cocoa bar brought to us by a new local mobile coffee and cocktail bar business called Brewed to Perfection,” LeClair said.
They were excited that the English Learners Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) joined them this year, people that LeClair said, “shared information about other cultural celebrations and had yummy treats for the families to enjoy,” and they were happy to welcome back City Councilor David Cormier, who reprised his role as one of Santa’s elves.
Also in attendance were Leominster School Committee members Jen Alker and Sal Perla, who LeClair said, “volunteered to help in a number of ways throughout the breakfast event,” part of the large group of people who helped contribute to the success of the popular gathering.
“We’re grateful for all the other volunteers who are friends and family of board members along with students from the LHS Best Buddies program,” LeClair said. “These events cannot happen without the commitment and enthusiasm of everyone involved.”
Shannon LeClair contributed to this story.
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