From 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, everyone has a chance to not only spend the morning doing Christmas activities, but they also have an opportunity to support a great cause at the Second Annual Christmas and Festivities with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch at Salem United Methodist Church. Admission will cost $20 per person—children two and under are free for activities with an optional breakfast plate for $4.00. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Delicious food will be provided by Vintage Apron Catering, including everyone’s favorite breakfast fare like scrambled eggs, sausage, and pancakes.
Organizer of the event, Kathy Bryant, shared this is Grace Harbor’s second year doing the event after it received a great community response last year. Bryant isn’t originally from the area and shared that a longtime Christmas tradition was going to breakfast with Santa events with her daughter. Seeing that it was absent from the Salem area, she decided to suggest it as the main fundraising event for Grace Harbor.
All proceeds will go directly to Grace Harbor Homeless Shelter. Founded in 2021, Grace Harbor fights hunger and homelessness by providing decent and safe temporary housing for families with children. If space is available, it will also accept adults. The shelter can accommodate between 9 - 12 patrons who have access to three meals a day, showers, personal hygiene items, laundry facilities and supportive resources for job searching and a return to permanent housing.
This year, organizers opened up the opportunity for individuals to sponsor children’s tickets to the event—individuals may sponsor a child to experience Breakfast with Santa at $15.00 per ticket. Just let organizers know the tickets are for sponsoring a child. So far, the response to sponsorships have been wonderful, shared Bryant.
Admission will include breakfast, a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts, story-time, singing of Christmas songs, face painting, cookie decorating, and games. Bryant shared that the National Honor Society from Salem R-80 will be volunteering some time to assist with the event.
Breakfast will be served between 9 a.m.-11 a.m. All other festivities will take place between 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
The event will be held at Salem United Methodist Church, 801 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Bryant at 573-739-9163. Tickets can also be purchased with Venmo or Zelle.
Volunteers are always needed for Grace Harbor. If interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Bryant at 573-739-9163.
