This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Even Santa Eats Pancakes and Eggs

Saucon Valley Jaycees Host Annual 'Breakfast with Santa'

Pillow Pets, doll houses, monster trucks and Lego sets were some of the requests local children made to Santa as he mingled with them and their families during the Saucon Valley Jaycees' annual "Breakfast with Santa," which was held Dec. 11 at in Hellertown.

For more than 20 years, the Saucon Valley Jaycees have organized this event for residents of the area. Two seatings were offered--one at 8:30am and one at 10am--at which more than 200 children and their families were in attendance. Attendees could choose from scrambled eggs or syrupy pancakes accompanied by a side of sausage links or ham.

"This is the type of event that holds the community together," said Jaycee Cassandra Fotta, as she sold raffle tickets.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tickets were offered for several drawings, which awarded prizes donated by various organizations from throughout the Saucon Valley. Local retailers also donated food supplies, in many cases continuing a longstanding tradition of supporting the Jaycees.

and , both of Hellertown, supplied the sugar, syrup, ketchup and other condiments served at the breakfast. Lehigh Valley Dairy donated the milk and orange juice. 

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Five years ago, Jaycees President Lori Jardel initiated the raffling off of boy's and girl's bicycles to help generate more raffle tickets sales. That tradition continued this year, with some guests reportedly attending in hopes of winning one of the bikes.

Money raised by the breakfast will be rolled into the Jaycees' fund for community service projects such as senior citizen dinners, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and a $500 college scholarship which is awarded annually.

After the holidays, the Jaycees, along with several other local service organizations, supply a list of available scholarships to Saucon Valley High School. Students then have the opportunity to write an essay discussing their participation in community service endeavors and their goals for continuing their service in the future. A Jaycees scholarship committee determines the winner of the group's award each year.

Additionally, if there is an individual need that comes to the attention of the Jaycees, they do what they can to help. One recent example included a young boy, whose family couldn't afford to buy him a bike. A Hellertown resident informed the Jaycees of the situation and they assisted the family with a fund-raiser to help the boy get his bike.

For more information about the Saucon Valley Jaycees, or to make a donation, visit www.sauconvalleyjaycees.org or e-mail Lori Jardel at Jardel@rcn.com

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?