Breakfast With Santa Returns to Huntley Schools

The District 158 Education Foundation’s popular Breakfast with Santa is back again this year, with even more fun to offer.

This year, the foundation is adding more festive fun to its annual fundraiser by also hosting a new event on the night before the breakfast.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, the foundation is hosting Santa’s Fireside Feast at Marlowe Middle School.

The foundation wanted to add a new event this year, in hopes of reaching out to even more community members. This event, while still holding the festive flavor of the breakfast, will be a little more intimate and formal, with only 200 tickets being sold.

“For the last four years, the foundation has sold out of tickets for the Saturday festivities, and we have had to turn away many families who were interested in visiting Santa, decorating cookies, playing games and making reindeer food,” organizer Niki Burkey said. “In an effort to accommodate more families, we created this evening dinner which will feature a more personal visit with Santa, children’s goody bags, entertainment and a pasta buffet.”

In addition to the pasta buffet at the dinner, there also will be Mrs. Claus’ cookies and hot chocolate.

Mrs. Claus, and of course Santa, will be at the dinner, along with several strolling characters. The Marlowe Middle School Honors Choir and the District 158 Faculty Jazz Band will provide entertainment for the night.

The fun will be back again at Marlowe on Saturday morning, Dec. 3, with two sessions  for the breakfast. Santa, of course, will be there for both sessions — one from 8 to 9:30 a.m., the other from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Breakfast with Santa will include a continental breakfast, children’s games, crafts, and holiday music, all similar to past years.

The event has been so popular in the past that tickets have sold out every year since it began.

One of the favorite draws at the event is the chance for kids to see their favorite principals and teachers working at the event — serving up breakfast, running the games or helping to run the festivities.

District 158 staff will be on hand for both the breakfast, and the dinner.

All proceeds from both events go back to the students in District 158, through the foundation.

Each year the foundation gives out classroom grants to the district’s teachers, to help enhance education, with more than $125,00 awarded since its inception. It also gives out scholarships to graduating seniors from Huntley High School, and has awarded more than $90,000 in scholarships.

“We are very excited to bring another opportunity for district families to experience some holiday spirit and ultimately benefit the students and staff of District 158 through the High School Scholarship and Teacher Grant Programs,” Burkey said.

Tickets for the Fireside Feast are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 2 to 12. Children younger than age 2 are admitted free.

Tickets for the Breakfast with Santa are $7 per person, with children 12 months and younger admitted free.

At both events, attendees also will get a chance to purchase raffle baskets created by the staff in the District 158 schools.

For tickets, visit your local District 158 elementary school, the foundation’s web page at http://www.district158.org/education-foundation/ or call 1-847-659-6107.