When the Pelligrino girls attended Breakfast with Santa this year, they were adding to a decade’s worth of memories of what is a family tradition. “Our family has been attending the Rotary Club Breakfast with Santa every year, except one, since we moved to Bedford in 2008, said the girl’s mom, Elena. “My daughters are now 10 and 13 and remind me of this tradition. We love looking at the photos each year, progressing their ages with Santa. To this day, they are sad we missed that one year”, she says.
That’s why Breakfast with Santa, this year and every year, is about more than just raising funds to support the Rotary Club of Bedford’s service projects. It’s about Bedford families, children and parents alike, enjoying a few hours of smiles, laughter, food, and photos on Santa’s knee. Thank you to all of the 500 who were there for rewarding Rotary with new memories for the scrapbook of this Bedford tradition.

The Rotary Club of Bedford also thanks the many organizations and individual sponsors that truly made Breakfast with Santa #33 possible, and whose generosity makes it possible for Bedford Rotary to “give back” through the initiatives and projects its foundation funds annually. Topping this year’s list as “Santa’s Helpers” sponsors were Middlesex Savings Bank, The Goddard School, and Ralph & Jean Hammond. And included next as “Rudy’s Reindeer” sponsors were Jacquelin Apsler, the Law Offices of Rebecca Neale, Tom & Christine Pinney, Marcum LLP, DSA Printing, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Keller Williams Realty Boston Northwest (Debbie Spencer), Chestnut Dental, Dianne Bridgeman, and Dunkin’ Donuts (Waltham). Plus, more than 30 additional supporters, donated funds, goods and services, notably Wegmans, Doubletree Hotel, Flatbread Pizza, Peppers Grille, and Starbucks whose donations directly supported the breakfast menu.

Bedford Rotarians, including family members and friends, comprise the core army of individuals whose time goes into the planning and execution of Breakfast with Santa. But it’s the enthusiasm and energy of the volunteer troops that is essential to making it a success. Members of Girl Scout Troop 85197 led the partnership effort to make the event more environmentally friendly. Callahan’s Karate, long-time volunteer partners, again joined Rotary in welcoming the breakfast guests. And the support of dozens of Bedford High School Interact Club members and students was invaluable.

The Rotary Club of Bedford Rotary is extremely grateful to all and looks forward to the 34th annual Breakfast with Santa in December 2020.