THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9412140136
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 2B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, as hundreds of Creeds Elementary School students, teachers and parents found out last Saturday morning. He not only came to the school bearing gifts, but he even brought breakfast for everyone. For the second year in a row, the school had ``Breakfast with Santa.''
``I ordered food for 400 people, and we're about to run out,'' said Nancy Beverly, PTA member who served as co-chairperson for the event. Beverly also talked local businesses into coming up with 250 door prizes. Debbie Volzke was the other co-chairperson.
That breakfast with the jolly old fat man was a success was obvious: the school has an enrollment of only 295 students, said principal Gay Kampfmueller.
``We had country sausage and country eggs,'' said the principal of the country school in southern Virginia Beach. ``Three kinds of juice: orange, pineapple and apple, milk, coffee and tea.
``And lots and lots and lots of Christmas cookies. And every child who sees Santa gets a gift donated by Lillian Vernon,'' she added.
Charles Brann waited in line to see Santa. Brann, a 27-year retired Navy veteran and postal employee, stood head and shoulders above everyone in line. He wasn't really there for himself, though he was having a good time.
``I brought my three daughters,'' he said. Nevertheless, his eyes shined brightly in apparent anticipation.
On the stage where Santa sat, Sarah Brann, 10, handed out candy canes from the Christmas tree and helped the younger kids to St. Nick's lap. Her sisters, Rebecca, 8, and Rachel, 6, stood in line with their father.
Dee-Dee Harman watched as her daughter, Megi, and Elise Broerman, both 4, had their pictures taken with Santa.
Katie McLaughlin, a 6-year-old first-grader, ran to her father, Mike, and reached in his shirt pocket to pull out the gift Santa had given her just for showing up. She showed the candy to a classmate who had yet to see Santa.
Nancy Beverly circulated among the crowd, making sure everyone and everything was going all right. She stood next to her daughter, Ivy Moore, and her grandchildren, Missy and Christopher Moore, and spoke about the breakfast and the special season.
``I love Christmas,'' Beverly said. ``I get full of the spirit of giving. It makes me feel so good to see the kids - and everyone - together and so happy.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Megi Harman, left, and Elise Broerman, both 4, discuss their wish
list with Santa during a breakfast at Creeds Elementary School.
by CNB