On Dec. 21, the Tampa Elks Lodge Youth Activities team held its annual children’s Christmas party. This year’s theme was Breakfast with Santa. Volunteers shopped, sorted, and organized toys and supplies. The night before the party, the dining room transformed into a workshop, with every present arranged by age group. The event hosted 92 children from 38 families for breakfast. Many guests arrived in festive pajamas, as the invitation noted. Each child received a Christmas cup with a lid and straw. As families settled in, they were entertained with seated activities while awaiting breakfast and Santa’s arrival. Breakfast included pancakes, sausage, cereals, muffins and doughnuts. When Santa made his grand entrance, smiles lit up the room. Each child who visited Santa received a gift and had their photo taken. This year’s activities included two hands-on crafts: decorating Santa hats with names and glitter glue and creating homemade Santa snow globes. Meanwhile, parents slipped away to the on-site Christmas “store,” which was stocked entirely with donated and purchased toys. Families could choose three gifts per child, with volunteers available for gift-wrapping support. Once gifts were secured and hidden away in car trunks, families reunited for a final round of fun, a lively bingo session filled with prizes and laughter. This year’s celebration was made possible with 36 volunteers. Member Kristina Chowning coordinated several Plant High School student volunteers to help wrap gifts. From Elks to community friends, the support was overwhelming.
Pictured are Norma Samlal, an attendee choosing gifts, and student volunteers; Plant High School volunteers wrapping presents; member Mike Volpe and volunteers Danielle Carlson and Vielka Gordon; and family attendees Karen Williams, Anthony Williams, Ashton Sweet, Browen Sweet, and Josyah Roman.