Coronavirus Nixes Dolton 149 Annual “Breakfast with Santa” Event

(Calumet City, IL) – South suburban Dolton School District 149’s annual “Breakfast with Santa” that normally draws more than 750 students and parents, originally slated this year for December 5, has been cancelled, falling victim to the coronavirus pandemic, according to school officials.

“For many children from low income families in the district, the toy that they would receive at Dolton 149’s ‘Breakfast with Santa’ might be the only toy that they receive on Christmas, so it breaks our heart to cancel this cherished, traditional event at our school,” said Dolton 149 Superintendent Dr. Shelly Davis-Jones. “But the health and safety of our students, their parents, and their extended family remains our number one priority.”

In years past, hundreds of cars would jam the Middle School’s parking lot on South Pulaski road for the annual holiday event as families would pour into the building to enjoy a hot breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, student carolers, holiday craft making, and, most important, to get a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

In addition to breakfast, the Dolton 149’s “Breakfast with Santa” would also distribute more than 1,000 holiday meal boxes stuffed with chickens, hams, rolls, and all the dinners fixings to help feed families.

“Cancelling our annual ‘Breakfast with Santa’ means we may be unable this year to help nearly 1,000 less fortunate families have the means to enjoy the season with holiday food on their tables,” said Dolton 149 Board President Darlene Gray Everett. “Nevertheless, I have not given up hope to be able to provide food baskets for our Dolton 149 School District families, God willing.”

Gray Everett also commended her board of education colleagues for their past support of Breakfast with Santa: Lolita Crisler-Liggons (Vice-President), Bertha Jolly (Secretary),Pamela Eldridge, Rayya Ghani, Wilbur Tillman, and Zacarias Castillo.

The district’s winter break begins on December 18; classes resume remotely on January 4.

davidormsby@davidormsby.com