In the wee waking hours of December 17, 2011 on Saturday, the Annual Breakfast with Santa Claus was underway, to be held at the Paradise Hills Park and Recreation Center. The event would begin from 9 a.m. and end at 12 p.m. By 11:30 over 435 attendees had a hearty breakfast.

Every year the Paradise Hills Recreation Council, staff, park members, and student volunteers such as AYSO and others participated in assisting with the set-up and prepping for the morning breakfast at 7 a.m. The food was made on the spot and throughout the day with favorite morning dishes such as pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, milk and orange juice.

The children had their photos taken with Santa Claus; prizes and over 6 bike giveaways. It also had exceptional youth performers such as violinists, youth carolers, a guitarist and a rockin’ dj.

The parents who signed-up prior received free toys for their children which was given after 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. from Toys for Tots.

Joe Long a Del Sur resident said his daughter, Kim Phan, a sixteen-year-old told the family after the event about her experience being one of the violin performers.

As Ms. Phan and her friend rehearsed before the performance, one young teenage male in middle school approached them and said, “I have seen violin musicians on television but never live.” He shared that it was a treat for him to see the youth players from North County: Kim Phan and Chenelle Carey McClain-Barrett performed in front of him.

Kim Phan came home feeling good that she and her friend made a big difference.

Stacey LoMedico from the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Director commented and said, “Thank you to all the volunteers for the great assistance!”

Andre Binns, President of the Paradise Hills Park and Recreation Council (PHRC) said, “I want to commend the staff at PHRC & PENN for an outstanding job that they did for our annual Breakfast with Santa. We served many people and it went off without any glitched.”

The event was sponsored by the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department: Paradise Hills Recreation Council.

The event can be viewed with this courtesy You Tube by Kim Phan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKT9zgPaGqk