The Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club is again hosting a cherished community tradition: Its annual pancake breakfast with Santa is set for Saturday, Dec. 6.
According to Mimi Hadi, the club’s founder and secretary, the event evokes local history.
“Our pancake breakfast with Santa has its roots with the former Gibbsboro-Voorhees Lions Club,” Hadi explained. “This event was very popular for years when the former club hosted it, and it was a big reason why the new Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club was formed.
“After the old club closed down,” she added, “there were quite a few members of the community who messaged the Facebook page asking when the event would be back again. It definitely has a long-standing history in the Voorhees-Gibbsboro area.”
The decision to bring back the breakfast was a result of that demand.
“We received a lot of push from the community,” Hadi noted. “Over the course of several years, we received messages on our Facebook page from people asking about it, so it made sense to revive the tradition and keep it going.”
Beyond the pancakes and the Santa photos, the event supports a greater cause.
“The breakfast serves two purposes,” Hadi shared. “It’s a fundraiser; proceeds benefit various South Jersey and Lions Club community projects, like free vision screenings for grade-school kids, community lectures on health and wellness, and the redistribution of used eyeglasses for those in need.
“But it’s also about bringing people together,” she added. “The kids love getting their pictures taken with Santa, parents enjoy watching them, and senior citizens have fun socializing – it really brings everyone together.”
The breakfast will feature holiday elements like seasonal music, prize drawings and basket raffles for what Hadi said is “a fun, social holiday vibe.”
Breakfast will be prepared with the help of local restaurants and served by Lions Club volunteers.
“Typically, we have about 10 to 15 volunteers,” Hadi pointed out. “This year, we’re including students from Eastern High School, which makes it even more special. It really is a community effort that makes this event,” she continued, ” … from the businesses that sponsor to every guest that buys a ticket.
“The proceeds will make their way back to those who need it.”
Children attending the breakfast will be able to talk with Santa right where they sit instead of standing in line. Hadi also has practical advice for attendees.
“We encourage families to have their phones charged for photos with Santa, and to bring some cash,” she said. “It makes it easier to buy tickets at the door and participate in the basket drawings. We’ll also accept checks.”
The Lions Club welcomes businesses who want to sponsor the event as well as volunteers. Visit pcoiris1@gmail.com for more information.
