Assumption School Hosted "Breakfast with Santa"

                                                                       
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mrs. Karen Bray
(860) 707-5981
karenobray@fastmail.fm

or

Ms. Marguerite Ouellette, principal                                                                 January 2, 2013

Assumption School
27 South Adams Street
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 649-0889
mouellette@assumptionschoolct.com

Assumption School Hosted
“Breakfast with Santa”

A cold morning full of
“San’ticipation” marked Saturday, December 15, in Manchester. Over 200 people
shared “Breakfast with Santa” at Assumption Parish hall on South Adams Street,
where a warm welcome and delicious hot breakfast were offered at a nominal fee.
Tempting aromas and Christmas carols enhanced the sale of home-baked goods. The
annual event was sponsored by Assumption School, with proceeds benefiting
special projects at its pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 campus and High School
Prep campus for Grades 6 through 8.

Cheerful volunteers served plain or chocolate chip pancakes
and sausage, coffee and juice, and lots of butter and syrup. Holiday-smocked
elves, one in reindeer antlers, assisted a steady stream of diners in finding
seats and purchasing chances on gaily wrapped gift baskets.

Though arriving without his sleigh, Santa brought another treat
in the person of Mrs. Claus, who said she wanted to help Santa meet the excited
children from Manchester and nearby towns.  Wearing a long red dress, her workshop apron,
and white frilled mob cap, she told Ms. Marguerite Ouellette, Assumption School
principal, that she and Santa welcomed the chance to hear the childrens’ wishes.

Inside the hall, Santa and Mrs. Claus settled into a cozy
nook with comfortable side-by-side rocking chairs near a gaily decorated Christmas
tree. After enjoying their pancakes, the jolly gent and his kindly wife visited
among the families, stopping to chat and invite the children to sit with Santa
and deliver their “Dear Santa” letters. Some merely looked and listened
wide-eyed; others eagerly volunteered for the chance to whisper a Christmas
list.

Young and old alike captured digital family memories of Moms
and Dads, guardians, big brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles,
and toddlers and infants in Christmas attire. As the line formed to sit on
Santa’s lap, many requests to share photos were heard among the families, as
students from every grade had worn Christmas colors, best dresses and sparkly
shoes, or Santa hats for the occasion.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted each child with gentle and
individual attention, listening carefully to the soft voices. When asked about
what the children are asking for this year, Santa reported many requests for
i-Pads and Kindles. But although electronic gadgets are more and more popular
each year, even among the younger ones, he thinks Thomas the Tank and Barbie
Doll items are holding their own!

A review of some “Dear Santa’s” revealed thoughtful
sentiment: “Dear Santa and Mrs.  Claus: ‘All I want for Christmas is an i-Pad,
and to make my family happy and you too!’”

As at every event since December 14, especially at schools here
in Connecticut, this one, occurring the very morning after our tragic loss at
Newtown, found parents, teachers, and school administrators expressing stunned
and prayerful disbelief. As always, they joined in making this an extra special
Christmas occasion for the children.

Visit assumptionschoolct.com,
“Event Gallery,” to view more photos of this event.

___________________

Story and Photo by Karen Bray.