Partnership brings holiday spirit to Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood children

The Tacoma Sunrise Rotary Club hosted its annual Santa’s Breakfast in the Hilltop neighborhood on Saturday. This free community event featured a pancake breakfast, crafts, face painting, a balloon room and a picture taken with Santa. As a gift, Tacoma Goodwill provided families with a book and stuffed animal to take home.

“Nearly 800 children and adults attended this year — another great event!” said Tacoma Sunrise Rotary President Janet Olejar. “Saturday was all about the kids — giving children an outlet to celebrate the season.”

The Tacoma Sunrise Rotary Club has overseen the breakfast for decades, starting shortly after it was founded in 1981. Tacoma Goodwill has hosted the event for over 10 years now, this year being the fourth consecutive year at the new facility, Milgard Work Opportunity Center, located at 714 S. 27th Street in Tacoma. “We’re happy to host the Breakfast year after year,” said Tacoma Goodwill CEO Terry Hayes. “Helping and reaching out to the community this time of year is joyous — smiling families enjoying each other and playing is what it’s all about.”

Goodwill, AmeriCorps, Youth Leadership Group from Life Center, Tacoma Community College and Tacoma Young Professionals Network assisted Rotary members throughout the event and the agency published flyers that were distributed to organizations such as The Salvation Army, Tacoma Community House, Associated Ministries, area schools and daycares. The Tacoma Sunrise Rotary’s mission is to improve our community today and inspire our leaders of tomorrow, through partnerships that help kids, make a difference and are fun.

The Tacoma Sunrise Rotary Club hosted its annual Santa's Breakfast in the Hilltop neighborhood on Saturday. This free community event featured a pancake breakfast, crafts, face painting, a balloon room and a picture taken with Santa. Tacoma Goodwill provided families with a book and stuffed animal to take home. (PHOTO COURTESY TACOMA GOODWILL)

The Tacoma Sunrise Rotary Club hosted its annual Santa’s Breakfast in the Hilltop neighborhood on Saturday. This free community event featured a pancake breakfast, crafts, face painting, a balloon room and a picture taken with Santa. Tacoma Goodwill provided families with a book and stuffed animal to take home. (PHOTO COURTESY TACOMA GOODWILL)