Copperas Cove kids and families have breakfast with Santa…and the Grinch
By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
Families enjoyed breakfast with Santa—and the Grinch—on Saturday.
The Copperas Cove Youth Advisory Council (YAC) held their annual Breakfast with Santa event this Saturday from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Copperas Cove Civic Center.
This year, they added a twist, inviting the Grinch! Families could enjoy a delicious breakfast cooked up by the Copperas Cove Rotary Club as well as a variety of arts and crafts. Santa and the Grinch wandered about the area, greeting, and mingling with families as well as posing for photos. Of course, children were also invited to sit on Santa’s lap and let him know what they wanted for Christmas. Entry was $7 with children 2 and under participating for free. Funds go towards future YAC events.
“It’s a place for the community to get breakfast, meet Santa, and have fun with your family,” said YAC member, Audrey Martin (16). “There’s a good turnout. I think it brings a lot of people together.”
This year was the group’s 4th year hosting the event.
“This is our first year with the Grinch,” said Caycee Hauck, recreation superintendent For Copperas Cove Parks & Recreation. “I think it’s been a good touch with the Grinch. He’s very interactive. Some kids are scared, and some kids like him.”
Ricky Hauck attended the event with his daughter Beth Arellano and his grandkids, Peithton-Jo Hauck (9), Brantlee Hauck (7), Addley Hauck (5), Jerecho Hauck (3), and Emilio Arellano (5 months).
“I think it was really thought out, especially with the photo ops with Santa and the Grinch,” said Ricky Hauck. “There’s a lot more this year than last year.”
Peithton-Jo Hauck said that she loved getting to see both Santa and the Grinch, but her favorite part was getting to make crafts.
“It’s really fun,” said Sarah Baez who attended with her husband Christopher Baez and their daughter Sofia Baez (2). “I really like that the Grinch and Santa were both here.”
Baez said that they especially liked seeing their daughter interact with Santa.
Norm Mitchell, president of the Copperas Cove Rotary Club, said that their club volunteered to prepare breakfast for YAC’s Breakfast with Santa event for the last four years. Mitchell said that their group is all about supporting kids. He mentioned that several of the children were very appreciative of their cooking and some even wished him a “Merry Christmas”.
“It’s great,” said Mitchell about the Breakfast with Santa event. “It just keeps getting bigger and better every year, and I think it’ll continue to get bigger and better.”