A free morning meal with Santa and Mrs. Claus has become a holiday tradition for seniors in Fleetwood.
The third annual Santa4Seniors breakfast is Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Fleetwood Community Centre, where seniors can register in person or call 604-501-5030.
Starting at 9 a.m., the free-admission event includes food, gifts for everyone, entertainment and photos with the North Pole's most famous residents.
"It's a fabulous event, so well received," said Dean Barbour, executive director of , which co-presents the breakfast with Fleetwood Community Association.
"Two years ago it started with around 50 (seniors), last year it was 68 and this year we're trending toward 88, as high as that," he added. "We're trying to limit seating to fit the space, as we try to grow the event slowly. Right now we've got 44 registered, I think," Barbour said Friday (Nov. 22), "so we've got room for another 40 or so, and we could probably squeeze in a few more after that."
On Thursday (Nov. 21), Barbour appealed to Fleetwood-area businesses to donate cash and gifts to the breakfast event, and also volunteer their time.
The local Denny's restaurant is delivering pancakes, bacon, sausages and strawberries, and the new Gourmet Donuts & Coffee shop in Fleetwood is bringing their sweet pastries to the party.
"The great thing about this event is the willingness of people and businesses to volunteer for it, donate and support it," Barbour said. "We have a nice budget for this but we don't have to pay for anything because everyone keeps donating it. For example, that email I sent out, within 20 minutes Dawson + Sawyer (development company) was writing me a check for $500. So the money we raise from donations like that will go toward purchasing gifts for the seniors. This year, everyone will get a gift regardless, and we'll also have 10 really cool door prizes."
Other event sponsors include Fleetwood Villa, Keystone Law, Coast Capital Savings, Lineage Properties, Fleetwood Family Law and Prospera Credit Union, among others.
"We have around 20 volunteers, our elves, who serve breakfast and coffee," Barbour said. "The (seniors) who come don't have to stand up and line up, they can sit down, have a coffee, have breakfast and enjoy themselves.
"The Santa and Mrs. Claus, they're amazing," he added. "They showed up last year and they were in full character from the moment they arrived. It was fabulous."
Unwrapped gift donations ($10-$20 value) can be dropped off at the BIA office by Monday, Dec. 2, at #203-15957 84 Ave., 性视界传媒. Call 778-564-1595 for more information.
