Breakfast with Santa delights Menlo Park kids Breakfast with Santa delights Menlo Park kids (December 24, 2003)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Staff Writer

Rotary members flipped pancakes that members of Young Latino Leaders served to more than 200 kids and parents recently at "Breakfast with Santa" at Burgess Recreation Center.

For the second year, the breakfast -- sponsored by the Menlo Park Community Services Department, Menlo Park Rotary Club, Young Latino Leaders, and the Menlo Park Fire Protection District -- was a success, says Recreation Director Mike Langford.

The new tradition was borrowed from Tuolomme County, where Mr. Langford previously served as recreation director. "We did it there, so I said, let's do it here."

The children wrote letters to Santa and created marshmallow snowmen, which they toted home in bags decorated with paints and glitter.

Michael Gibson led the Menlo Park Chorus in Christmas songs, ending with "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" as Santa made his entrance. He had arrived earlier on a Menlo Park fire truck.

Loren Fuller, 2, told Santa she wanted a watch for Christmas because she was learning to tell time. Annabel Dolan, 5, who attends Laurel School, was planning to ask for a new hat, a book on fossils, a soccer ball and a snow globe.

The 6-year-old La Haye twins -- Edward "Bingo" and Donald "Buster" -- who attend Las Lomitas School, change their minds every minute about what they want for Christmas, says their mother, Anne La Haye of Menlo Park. Robots and remote-control cars were favorite choices as of December 6.

Paul Vega, executive director of Young Latino Leaders of Redwood City, brought 20 students from the Sequoia Union High School District to serve breakfast and help with crafts. Hector Cornejo, who attends Woodside High School, showed up at 7:30 a.m. and said he was having a great time helping out.

Less fortunate children also benefited from the breakfast, with several families bringing toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

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