Calling all children –– come have Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 6, at the South Nodaway elementary school in Guilford. The breakfast of biscuits and gravy, sweet rolls and donuts begins at 9 a.m. –– cost for the meal is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12-years of age.
Alice Wiederholt, PTO vice president, said the big man in the red suit will arrive by fire truck around 9:30 a.m.
"We have a nice Christmas area set up where Santa can sit and talk with the children," Wiederholt said. "Parents will get the chance to take pictures of their children talking to Santa."
After taking time to have breakfast and visit with Santa, the children then get the chance to go to the Santa Shop and so they can buy gifts for the people on their list.
Macia Kemper, secretary for the PTO group, said they try to have something for everyone in the family at the Santa Shop –– things like homemade soaps and lotions, ornaments, mugs, candles for Mom, Grandma and teachers. There are screwdrivers, work gloves and sports mementos for the men, as well as books and toys for the children.
Beth Walker is the expert on preparing for and organizing the Santa Shop. All year, she shops and collects small gift items that will be made available for the children as they go shopping after having breakfast with Santa.
"We try to have a wide selection for all ages in the Santa Shop and the majority of the items are under $5," Walker said. "We have partnered with several businesses that have great to assist us with this project."
Walker said the Hangar in Maryville supports the Santa Shop by allowing PTO members to sell boarding passes as stocking stuffers. SAHM Candles, lotions and soaps from the Abbey, BeautiControl lotions, Fireside Gifts of St. Joseph, Rod's Hallmark are a few of the suppliers that have provided gifts for the Santa Shop.
The students get to take a shopping list and a flyer home with them before the big day. Walker said PTO wants shopping at the Santa Shop to be a learning experience as well as a treat for the elementary students.
"They are always so cute when they are shopping for their family members," she said.
After parents bring their children to Breakfast with Santa, they are invited to leave them in the hands of the South Nodaway Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students for a few hours.
FBLA students will provide Santa Sitters from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., after Breakfast with Santa at the elementary school as a service project, giving parents an opportunity to spend a few hours shopping without children.
The children will be divided into age groups and will be able to enjoy movies, activities and even make a few crafts items to use for gifts.
The service is free to parents of South Nodaway students. The only thing the students ask is for parents to bring a sack lunch for their children.
FBLA sponsor Renee Turpin said Santa Sitters is completely planned and organized by the students.
"The students find the crafts, set up shifts for when they work and put everything together," Turpin said. "If some of the students think they might want to work with children in the future, this gives them a good opportunity to see what it would be like."
Maryville, Mo. —
