MONROE - Brunch with Santa is a tradition at St. Victor School.
It's grown from a school event to something the community takes part in, whether or not their children attend the school.
It's a chance for children of all ages to celebrate the Christmas spirit and share a meal.
For 29 years, Santa Claus has visited the school, an important stop at this time of year. He comes to listen to children tell him what they want for Christmas, while his elves help the children play games and win prizes.
Nicole Einbeck attended the brunches when she was a student at St. Victor School. Back then, she said, it was called "Lunch with Santa," but that's the only difference between the events she attended and the event she and her daughter, Anika, 6, and Ally, 9, attended Saturday.
The highlight was the chance to see Santa, Nicole said.
Ally said that was what she most looked forward to, too.
"I remember I couldn't wait until I was in the sixth grade so I could be an elf," Nicole said.
Like her mother, Ally also looks forward to the day when she can wear an elf's costume and help the little children.
"Elves get to run the games and ring the bells," she smiled.
Christopher Seitz got to play an elf again this year. This was the second year in a row for him, he said.
"It's a lot of fun," he said, as he helped a small child throw bean bags at a target for a chance to win a prize.
A lot of hard work from parents and volunteers go into making Brunch with Santa a success. About 300 people usually visit the school to take part in the event, which began in 1978.
They donate their time to make it a memorable and enjoyable experience for the children.
Judging by the looks on the children's faces, the volunteers succeeded in their mission.
"I like the games, and seeing Santa is kind of neat," Stacy Miceli, 10, Monroe, said.
Her brother Stephen, 4, liked the lights the best.
"And the penguins," he added.
It's grown from a school event to something the community takes part in, whether or not their children attend the school.
It's a chance for children of all ages to celebrate the Christmas spirit and share a meal.
For 29 years, Santa Claus has visited the school, an important stop at this time of year. He comes to listen to children tell him what they want for Christmas, while his elves help the children play games and win prizes.
Nicole Einbeck attended the brunches when she was a student at St. Victor School. Back then, she said, it was called "Lunch with Santa," but that's the only difference between the events she attended and the event she and her daughter, Anika, 6, and Ally, 9, attended Saturday.
The highlight was the chance to see Santa, Nicole said.
Ally said that was what she most looked forward to, too.
"I remember I couldn't wait until I was in the sixth grade so I could be an elf," Nicole said.
Like her mother, Ally also looks forward to the day when she can wear an elf's costume and help the little children.
"Elves get to run the games and ring the bells," she smiled.
Christopher Seitz got to play an elf again this year. This was the second year in a row for him, he said.
"It's a lot of fun," he said, as he helped a small child throw bean bags at a target for a chance to win a prize.
A lot of hard work from parents and volunteers go into making Brunch with Santa a success. About 300 people usually visit the school to take part in the event, which began in 1978.
They donate their time to make it a memorable and enjoyable experience for the children.
Judging by the looks on the children's faces, the volunteers succeeded in their mission.
"I like the games, and seeing Santa is kind of neat," Stacy Miceli, 10, Monroe, said.
Her brother Stephen, 4, liked the lights the best.
"And the penguins," he added.