Despite recent health woes, the show did go on for Betty Burnfield Saturday morning when the American Legion in Ansonia opened its doors for the annual Breakfast With Santa.
“I want to thank everyone who helped with Breakfast with Santa this morning,” she said. “I would not have been able to have this event without all of you. We had a great turnout with a lot of happy kids, and that’s what it’s all about. I appreciate you all.”
According to her, 187 children plus an undetermined amount of adults participated in this year’s event.
“People were here before 9,” she said.
Burnfield expressed her appreciation to the following: Ansonia American Legion, Ansonia Fire Department, Ansonia Rescue, Mayor Ted Adkins, Police Chief Frank Shapiro, Santa Claus, and Dalton Horne, who stepped up to provide the entertainment when it was learned that Troy Kammer, who was scheduled to do it, was involved in a traffic accident with his wife the night before.
She said a lot of extra people signed up this year to help.
“It was a rough couple of months for me,” she said.
Santa was one of the focal points of the morning. Most of the children were happy to see him, but there may have been a few who were not as cheerful.
“My grandbaby, Hadley, did well last year but didn’t want any part of him this year,” Burnfield said. “She helped me pass out yogurt drinks.”
On the menu for breakfast were 900 sausage links, which sold out midway through the event, two large cases of eggs or 60 dozen, and pancakes, not to mention juice and coffee.
As for the gifts, Burnfield is shopping for them year-round just for these Breakfasts With Santa, using money which is carried over from the donations to do so.
“There is not a toy here a kid is not going to find,” said Burnfield, who has been overseeing the program since 2010 but has worked on it for 25 years. It was originally introduced to the Ansonia area by the now-defunct Cops For Kids.
In the evening, The Lighted Tractor Parade saw more people coming into the village of Ansonia.
“Bringing our community together to celebrate the holidays,” said one response on Facebook. “Our little town shows up with COMMUNITY PRIDE…the mayor, the police chief, the fire chief and his crew, the president of the EMS and her crew, community members, and the Wonder Woman behind the Breakfast with Santa, Betty Burnfield. The holidays and Christmas is a very special time of year in Ansonia. Whether it is Breakfast with Santa or the Lighted Tractor Parade…. we come together! Celebrating the holidays in this wonderful place we call HOME!”
Burnfield’s husband, Nate, also remarked on Facebook, “We probably exceeded capacity again this year. Thanks to everybody that helped. Betty sure does know how to throw a party! The kids love it, and that’s what it’s all about.”
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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of Ruth Hall Richards, Sharon Warren, and Wanda Nichols Roberts.
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Please pray for these people: Kara Didier, Carl Francis, Janet and Troy Kammer, Bob Peters, Phyllis Brumbaugh, Sonny Custer, Betty Burnfield, Dan Lockhart, Roberta Hall, Pam Norman-Penticuff, Kelly Kelch, Michelle Coppess Hiestand, Mike Mayse, Greg Moody, Kelly Jo Eikenberry (kidney transplant) and son Allen (donor), Larry Linder, Steve Waymire, Jamie Knick, Jenny Pitman, Nikole Baldridge, Chester Bryant, Manual Macias, Lester Beisner, Delores Beisner, Kermit Foureman, Chuck “C.W.” Cruze, Mark Lovejoy.
Also, Judy York, Donald Booker, Dennis Leeper, Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton, Jeremy “Jerm” Burke, Gary Eichler, David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Ralph Byrd, Doug Winger, Sonja and Dan Coppess, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Gary Francis, Paul Gigandet, Doug Whittington, Tracy Pratt, D’Arleen Waymire, Zach Urbancic, John Rimmer, Joan Keen, Carol Hemmerich, Larry P. Fitzwater, Jim Thomas, Neal Gray, Judie Hathaway, Randy Garrison, Jannie Barrow, Kathy Gragorace, Becky Everhart, Donna Bixler, Linda Subler, Cathy Melling, Scott Clark, and all of those who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.
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Happy birthday:
Dec. 8 to Tina Hilderbrand, Patty Riegle and Nick McEowen.
Dec. 9 to Georgia Young, Tara Thomas, and Andy Couchot.
Dec. 10 to Tony Steed, Kiersten Schricker, Carol Hoop, Ginger Siders, Kelli Gregorace and Krista Hall Hines.
Dec. 11 to Tim Gibboney, Steve Gates, Katie Britsch Smith, Ashlee Hetzler, Annette Livingston, Kenny Flatter and Linda Bothast.
Dec. 12 to Jim Kammer, Kari Bartram, Allen Aukerman, Randy Sanders, Virginia Rinderle, Ron Hines, Randy Neal, Jenny Gilmore-Conway, Becky Meade, Elizabeth Skye-Hufford, Kim Ledbetter and Brooklyn Kaffenberger.
Dec. 13 to Aaron Byrd, Daryl Riffle, Ralph Helmer Jr., twins Demi and Dani Hathaway, Lisa Martin, Dave Acton, Paul Wood, Jorden Hart, and Becky Oliver.
Dec. 14 to Robbie Moody, Missy Widener, Hunter Buckingham, Mary Bryant Arnett, and Vickie Brinley.
Happy anniversary to Ryan and Mindy Ledbetter on Dec. 14.
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