Children ranging in ages from three to 12 will be able to receive a breakfast sandwich, juice and a toy at 10:13 a.m. Saturday in McAfee gym.

Hosted by the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, “Breakfast with Santa,” is the second annual holiday event where child and parents will receive a morning breakfast. The children will also be able to take a photo with Santa Clause.

Jalyssa Woodall, the event planning chair for the sorority, said the children need to all be escorted by a parent or guardian; they will also have tables for arts and crafts, which the children can use coloring books or build gingerbread houses.

Woodall said the event planner from the previous year got the inspiration for the event because the girl was from East St. Louis and it was something put on over there, so she wanted to bring the event to Eastern’s campus.

The event has been in its planning stages since October with the organization reaching out to other fraternities, sororities and Registered Student Organizations.

“It’s been a long process, but it will be a good turn out,” Woodall said.

The girls have many gifts and toys to hand out to the children, which every child attending the event will have a chance to receive. A larger toy will also be handed out from a raffle win, said Woodall.

Woodall said not only have they reached out to other student organizations, but also through these RSOs they were able to get in contact with parents and families with children. She said reaching out to parents to bring their children is the heart of the event, so they have used flyers, social media and Rachel Fisher, the director of student community service’s help as well.

“We really want to show that we genuinely care about the community and the children,” Woodall said.

Woodall said the goal is to feed as many children as possible for those who attend the event as well as get them their toy. Some families may not be able to provide their child with a toy for Christmas, so this is an opportunity to provide them with a gift.

“Nobody wants to wake up on Christmas and not have anything,” Woodall said.

Roberto Hodge can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]