Santa Delivers to the Children of Riverdale

Over 500 children and their families braved chilly conditions where they patiently stood in line at Park Elementary School where they waited for a chance to meet Santa and to take home hundreds of toys of their the choosing, along with hats, gloves, handmade scarves, and winter coats.
Over 500 children and their families braved chilly conditions where they patiently stood in line at Park Elementary School where they waited for a chance to meet Santa and to take home hundreds of toys of their the choosing, along with hats, gloves, handmade scarves, and winter coats.

Santa Delivers to the Children of Riverdale

The Joliet Area/South Suburban Alumnae Chapter (JASSAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in conjunction with Jassac Charitable Foundation, Inc. hosted their annual Breakfast with Santa event recently. This year's recipients were the children of the Riverdale community.

Park Elementary School, located at 14200 S. Wentworth in Riverdale, IL was transformed into a Winter Wonderland with the assistance of some of the south suburban fraternity chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma.

Over 500 children and their families braved the chilly conditions prior to being treated to a hot breakfast. While the children patiently stood in line for their chance to enter the winter wonderland, Santa made his grand entrance into Park Elementary School with the assistance of the Riverdale Fire Department.

Awaiting the excited children, were hundreds of toys for the choosing, along with hats & gloves, handmade scarves, and winter coats.

Additionally, over 100 bikes were raffled off to children between the ages of 2-12.

Parents also received information on the upcoming south suburban elections occurring early next year and had the opportunity to register to vote.

Park Elementary School Principal, Dr. Dell McFarlane, says “today was absolutely amazing and phenomenal.

The children and their families were just elated and their faces were filled full of smiles as they left with their bikes, toys, scarves, and coats.”

In addition to Dr. McFarlane, the School Board Vice President, Superintendent, and other school personnel were on-hand to welcome the area children and their families.

JASSAC has been hosting Breakfast with Santa annually for over 20 years.

Riverdale was chosen this year and will also be the site of next year’s event.

JASSAC Chapter President, Kimberly Rowe-Barney, says “this event never ceases to amaze me. Breakfast with Santa grows bigger and bigger every year with the assistance of kind-hearted people who donate their time and gifts to ensure the children have a Christmas they will never forget.”

For more information on JASSAC and upcoming events, please visit www.jassacdeltas.org or email president@jassacdeltas.org.

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