Santa Spreads Holiday Joy In Newtown While Benefiting Shop With A Cop

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA ? Kris Kringle was the guest of honor at a special Breakfast With Santa fundraiser Sunday morning at the Newtown American Legion Hall.

The jolly old soul was escorted to the event aboard a fire truck provided by Newtown Fire and Rescue. Due to the lack of snow, Santa said he was grateful to have the help of the local firefighters to transport him around town this season.

Inside the Legion Hall, Santa found Joe Garvey and his band of helpers whipping up a delicious breakfast of pancakes, waffles, muffins and lots more. Garvey donated the food at cost for the event, which doubled as a fundraiser for Shop With A Cop.

Santa was given the seat of honor on a stage overlooking the hall, which was festively decorated in the colors of the season. Nearby, a large plate of Hershey Kisses waited to be eaten.

The event was a first for the Greater Newtown Republican Club, which came up with the idea as a way of not only bringing the community together during the holiday season but also giving back to local law enforcement through the Shop With A Cop program.

Heather Roberts and Bernie Sauer with Santa. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Gazing around the hall, organizers Heather Roberts and Bernie Sauer were thrilled with the turnout.

"It's just amazing. And it warms you inside," said Roberts.

"It's an incredible thing to bring the community together around the holidays in a positive way," said Roberts. "Everyone has something they are worried about, something they are concerned about. Just to bring everyone together for a couple minutes and have them be here and feel some type of holiday magic is awesome."

In addition, Roberts said an anonymous donor stepped forward and is treating six Council Rock families to breakfast. Each family is facing hardships this holiday season, she said.

"To add an element where we're also helping people in the community, whether it's what our donor did by inviting families here or raising money for Shop With A Cop, it just makes this an absolutely great day," said Roberts.

With private donations, sponsorships and ticket sales, Sauer said the club is hoping to raise more than $7,500 for Shop With A Cop.

"The club makes no money," said Sauer. "All the proceeds go directly to Shop With A Cop and paying for the food."

(Photo by Jeff Werner)