750 have breakfast with Santa

Brian Wilkinson

(Updated: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 8:53 PM)

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The Christmas spirit could be found all over the Mountain Area last weekend at a variety of events including the Kiwanis Club 8th Annual Breakfast with Santa at the Oakhurst Community Center.

The event benefits the Children's Museum of the Sierra and was attended by more than 750 children and adults. The first year, 25 people attended in the pouring rain.

The event was started by Betty Maggio, one of the founders of the museum. She did a similar event for the La Habra Children's Museum in Orange County prior to moving to Coarsegold. Maggio said she loves seeing all the families at the event and all the children having fun.

Children received two educational books from Sierra Telephone, a Teddy bear from the Mountain Bear Fan Club and the chance to convince Santa they have been good all year.

Proceeds from the event will be used for upkeep of exhibits at the museum.

Assisting the Kiwanis were the Soroptimist Club, Yosemite High Key Club, Oakhurst Boy Scout Troop #341 and Yosemite High California Cadet Corps.

Jean Hand, director of the museum, said it was great to see all the community clubs come together to help with the breakfast.

"Breakfast with Santa is a nice social event for the community," said Hand.