If you think about it, almost all our holidays coincide with some form of giving. Thanksgiving Day we gave thanks for our families, health – in short for all our blessings.
Halloween brought candy to our youngsters (and after bedtime, to us). All the holidays remind us that some struggles, past and present are celebrated and honored with the gifts of love, remembrances, and appreciation.
By now we have probably turned our thoughts to Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, etc. Regardless of the holiday you celebrate, gifts are usually involved, even if it is just the gift of fellowship.
Our mailboxes, both physical and email fill up with requests for donations and gifts for the less fortunate. And you guessed it – I am about to tell you about one of my favorites…Breakfast with Santa.
This local holiday tradition began in 2017 and is hosted at the South Sound Senior Center, in Olympia, by the Senior Action Network. (SAN)
SAN began about 35 years ago after providers of senior services decided they wanted an opportunity not only to serve seniors, but to give back to them in some fashion. It began with five members and today is over 100 members strong. The group consists of both for-profit and non-profit businesses and government agencies, includes insurance agencies, realtors, senior living facilities, medical equipment suppliers, home health agencies, The Jolt News, Lions Low Vision Resource Center and more.
The Senior Action Network sponsors and/or participates in many activities throughout the year, including:
They also provide monthly SAN senior information in The Olympian and the Senior News, a website and calendar of events for Member and SAN Sponsored Events.
Their goal is to raise your awareness of all the available options. There are many more events and activities in which this wonderful group of senior supportive businesses is involved.
With the donations they receive from their fundraising and auction efforts, SAN helps fulfill individual senior needs, such as emergency funding for PUD bills and food, or even air conditioners to keep seniors cool during extreme weather. They recently donated a new refrigerator to a senior.
They also donate and can refer you to other agencies for help, while providing the safety net for those needed items not covered by other programs. SAN also supports gifting for medications programs and other health needs.
On Saturday, December 2nd, the auditorium in the Olympia Senior Center will be transformed into a winter wonderland of holiday decorations and delights. What is more fun than having a breakfast of sausage, bacon, pancakes, eggs coffee, juice and hot chocolate and sharing it with Santa? SAN members prepare the breakfast and local Girl Scout “Elves” will help serve.
Your breakfast donation of $10.00 per person or a $40.00 maximum for families of four or more, includes the Childrens’ picture being taken with Santa, and a craft table where they can create and decorate their own picture frame. Children five years old and under are free.
Live music will be provided by the Jamming Music Studio. Sweet Shop Holiday Baked Goods will also be on sale.
And there will be raffle tickets sold at one dollar apiece for amazing gift baskets, that may help ease your gift shopping chores or just be enjoyed by yourself. Winners will be called three times if not present when their ticket is picked. If they answer their basket will be delivered. If they don’t, it will be replaced for another draw.
Perhaps the best gift given that day will be the knowledge that you helped seniors stay safe and warm this winter and had fun while doing it.
The Breakfast with Santa will be held at the Olympia Senior Center, located at 222 Columbia ST. NW, Olympia from 8:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, December 2nd.
Tickets will be available at the door, on their website or just click on the QR code on the flyer.
To fill out the senior help request form or find out more about joining SAN, go to their website at this link.
Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia. Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.
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