Teen center hosting a 'Breakfast With Santa'

SANDPOINT — Who wouldn't want the chance to have breakfast with jolly old Saint Nick while also helping out a great cause?

This Saturday, kids and adults have the chance to do just that during the Sandpoint Teen Center's "Breakfast With Santa" event.

"It's really a fun event," said Joan Avery, center director. "The kids had a lot of fun last time and it was really a good turnout."

The teen center is a nonprofit that operates completely by donation, Avery said. All proceeds from the "Breakfast With Santa" fundraiser will go to the center for operating expenses.

This Saturday will mark the second year of the event, and Avery said she hopes to see it continue and grow each year.

"We are really excited to offer this special experience with Santa," said Dig Chrismer, teen center board member, in an email to the Daily Bee. "We couldn’t do it without the support of the Masons, Washington Federal Bank, private donors, our volunteers and all the great teens who want to make sure the center continues to thrive."

"Breakfast With Santa" is $5 for kids and $10 for adults. The cost includes a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, orange juice, coffee and hot cocoa. A free photo with Santa is included as well, and Avery said this year there will be a craft area where people can make a Christmas ornament.

Tickets can be purchased online at bit.ly/2i18LJE. Tickets can also be purchased at the Sandpoint Youth Center, Washington Federal, or at the door on Saturday.

The event is scheduled from 8-11 a.m. Saturday in Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave.

The teen center serves as an after school drop in center for youth in grades seven-12 and, on average, about 30 teens a day visit the center. The teens are provided with healthy snacks and a hot meal each day through the center's culinary program. The teens help plan and cook the meals and can even earn cash for cooking meals and taking food handler quizzes. Bonner General Health is starting a health class once a month that will complement the culinary program as well.

Teens sign in when they get to the center and have the opportunity to play games such as ping pong, air hockey, shuffleboard or other board games and activities. A volunteer takes the teens bowling on Wednesdays and another teaches yoga on Mondays, and another volunteer does outdoor projects on Thursdays, which includes projects such as basket weaving and making arrows.

"We are trying to find something every day," Avery said. "... It's a small place with a lot going on."

Avery said the center is accepting donations to raise money to purchase the building on Division Avenue. So far, she said they have raised about one-third of the amount needed. If they could buy the building, she said, they would be able to have longer hours and more activities for the teens.

There are several volunteer opportunities available as well. For example, Avery said, the center could use someone who is computer savvy.

Anyone interested in donating or who would like to volunteer can contact the center's executive director, Claire Honsinger, at 208-304-8247 or email sandpointteencenter@yahoo.com. Donation can be sent to the teen center as well at P.O. Box 1066, Sandpoint, ID, 83864.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.