WSFD hosts Breakfast With Santa

The hosted its first-ever Breakfast with Santa on December 19 with proceeds benefitting the Junior Fire Department. At the end of both sessions, the Juniors raised more than $1,000, which they will use to buy new jackets, according to Melissa McManus, West Sayville Junior Fire Department Advisor.

The kids were having a great time, feasting on eggs, pancakes, sausage and bacon, cooked upstairs by the West Sayville firefighters. Santa was patiently awaiting their arrival, posing for pictures that were printed on the spot.

The Junior Fire Department is looking to rebuild and hopefully attract new members; the division has been hosting different events and the Breakfast with Santa was a resounding success. "We are having trouble keeping up with all the food," said Gary Leigh-Manuell, director of the Juniors. "This is our first attempt and we wanted it to be a success so we could build on it next year and have it become an annual event."

The Juniors made several attempts to use raise funds via car washes over the summer but they were rained out. "We hope this breakfast made a good first impression; that was our main goal," Leigh-Manuell said. "We had a great turnout and would love to do this every year."

The Juniors are the future of the department and they want to start building their own traditions. This is a good step in that direction, McManus said. The Juniors recently held a food drive at Waldbaum's in Bohemia and brought in 759 items as well as monetary donations for the New Life Community Church.