For well over 20 years something good has been going on in Sicamous, thanks to the efforts and donations of so many groups and citizens and, of course Santa, who all come together because they believe in the value of the Breakfast with Santa event.
Originally an Eagle Valley Arts Council event, the focus of this annual Christmas breakfast is to provide local children and families the opportunity to “hand craft,” holiday items as gifts for parents and siblings.
The Sicamous and District Chamber of Commerce and the Sicamous Lions Club got involved to provide support, and the event began to grow.
For several years, the breakfast was managed by a local Beta Sigma Phi chapter, and for the past 10 or more it has been managed and supported by the Eagle Valley Community Support Society and the Sicamous and District Recreation Centre Society.
The event has grown and now includes much more than the breakfast, Santa visit and crafting opportunities. Holiday stories are read, expert face painting, a gift shop and a present wrapping station all help to create a wonderful event, as does the support of the “Eagle elves.”
Sicamous Eagles players arrive faithfully each year to help with setup and take down, serve breakfast, man Santa’s Gift Shop and help children wrap the treasures they have bought.
One organizer’s favourite memory of the event is that of a big strapping young hockey player crouched down to help a little girl of about age three wrap a present. Despite the fact the little one seemed to have as much an idea of how to wrap a present as the young man, they nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed the experience together.
So what does all this fun and frolic cost? Well, that depends on what families wish to give. The breakfast and gift shopping are by donation, with no particular amount expected in return. The visit, pictures and gifts from Santa, face-painting, crafts, gift-wrapping materials and help are all free.
This event isn’t about raising money; it’s about giving all area families a chance to spend time together at a relaxed, fun event, for children to use their creative imagination to make a Christmas treasure, to allow children to shop and choose gifts for their family all by themselves, and to have a visit with Santa without a fee attached. For the many who go each year to flip the pancakes, teach the crafts, face-paint, read, take pictures for families, and tie the perfect bow on a 25 cent gift, it is about the smiles on the faces of the children.
This year’s Breakfast with Santa event is this Sunday, Nov. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon, upstairs at the Sicamous and District Recreation Centre. The entire community is invited, whether you are a family with children, or just want to enjoy a pancake breakfast and watch the smiles.
Submitted by the Eagle Valley Community Support Society.