Footballs, pink trucks and iPads on the list for Santa at YMCA brunch
CRANBERRY TWP — Around 500 were expected at the annual Brunch with Santa at the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA on the morning of Saturday, Dec 14. The four-hour event had lots to offer, but from the moment you walked in the door, it was obvious who everyone was there to see – Santa.
And most everyone had their lists ready.
“I want a pink truck like Daddy’s,” said Elinor Wilson, who was at the event with her parents Jessica and Nathanial. “But not as big.”
The Wilsons, from Cranberry, stood patiently in the line to see Santa so Elinor could tell Santa what she wanted. Along with the pink truck, she also wants an elephant toy.
The annual event was a thank you from the YMCA to its members for their support throughout the year.
“Brunch with Santa is a free event for our members. We like to provide member appreciation events like this throughout the year,” said Executive Director Carrie Ohorodnyk. “It’s one of our most exciting and awesome events. We love it.”
While not in line to see Santa, participants got to enjoy other areas at the event, including a hot chocolate stand, the pancake brunch, a Snowbowl Fight and a Build-A-Bear station.
The Hendricks family, parents Chelsea and Anthony Sr, and kids Arianna, Anthony and Thomas, enjoyed the different areas, but were found in line to see ‘The Big Man’ too. Gifts requested were a Transformer and plushie for Thomas and a football and skateboard Anthony Jr.
Arianna’s list was a little more complicated.
“I made [a list] but I’m regretting it because I didn’t really know what I wanted,” said Arianna. “I guess Squishmallows or something like that.”
In addition to letting Santa know what they were hoping for this year, discussions amongst the Hendricks were had about how Santa makes it to see every child in the world in one night.
“It’s magic,” said Anthony. “He teleports.”
“The plane goes as fast as they can, like 60,000 miles per hour,” said Thomas.
Arianna gave her opinion on what happened once he got to the house.
“Santa pops out of the chimney then he just leaves the present and them comes back up the chimney, and he just keeps doing that process over and over and over,” she said.
