The Cobleskill Rotary Club won’t have its traditional Breakfast with Santa this year, but Rotarians are still looking to feed hungry kids.
Seeking donations to help Cobleskill-Richmondville’s Backpack Program and other projects, Rotarians hope those who enjoyed Breakfast with Santa in the past––families and businesses––will pitch in.
Breakfast with Santa was usually the first Sunday in December at C-R High School. Rotarians cooked and served breakfast and offered crafts for kids, who also stood in a long line to visit with Santa.
Such socializing is out this year.
“In the spring we started talking about it,” said Rotarian Betsy Bernocco, who’s been on the event committee since Breakfast with Santa started in 2013.
“We knew by September we couldn’t do it. We wanted to keep people safe.”
Breakfast with Santa started as a way to gather families to celebrate the holidays, but it gradually grew to become a fundraiser, bringing in several thousand dollars for Rotary’s community programs.
Businesses supported it with $25 donations, and families paid an entrance fee. Rotarians hope those who helped in the past will help this year.
“We know businesses are stressed,” Ms. Bernocco said. “If they can’t participate, we understand. We know they’ll be behind us when they can.”
The Rotary Club is a regular supporter of C-R’s Backpack Program and donated $2,000 to fund it in October. The program provides food to needy families, with kids bringing the goods back from school.
But Rotary has other community programs, too, including scholarships and the Rotary Creek Trail off the Warnerville Cutoff.
“We’re hoping to do what we’ve done in the past,” Ms. Bernocco said.
As for Breakfast with Santa, she added, “We will pick it back up. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
To donate, mail a check to Cobleskill Rotary, PO Box 596, Cobleskill, NY 12043. Include name and contact information.