Sponsors sought for youth service bureau’s “your Santa breakfast”

The 3rd annual Your Santa Breakfast, a special event supporting the Youth Service Bureau, is set for Dec. 5th at Lakeview Hospital in Covington. Your Santa Breakfast is an opportunity for Northshore children served by the Youth Service Bureau(YSB) to enjoy traditional holiday photos and fun outdoor activities. The public is also invited. Additional sponsors are needed to help bring this memorable holiday experience to children served by YSB in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.

Proceeds will benefit YSB's Court Appointed Special Advocates program (CASA), which trains and supervises community volunteers who assist the Court in determining the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Sometimes these children are placed in foster care for their own protection. CASA's ultimate goal is to help them find safe and permanent homes.

The breakfast will also help fund YSB's Truancy Assessment and Service Center (TASC), which provides resources and support for children in grades K-5 and their families in order to reduce truancy. TASC addresses the specific causes of the students' absences and works with families to provide education, advocacy and referrals to community resources. TASC intervention can pave the way to improved academics and strengthened families.

"We are excited to bring Your Santa Breakfast to the community on the Lakeview campus while adhering to current CDC healthcare guidelines," says YSB CEO Cleveland Wester.

YSB is seeking sponsors to help bring Your Santa Breakfast to as many children as possible. Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $1,000, and donations of any amount are welcome. "Sponsorships allow the children we serve to attend and enjoy this event," added Wester. "They also support our programs so that we can provide quality advocacy and intervention for these young children year-round."

The festivities will include a hot breakfast provided by Yum Yum Gimme Sum. Additional activities held outdoors will include holiday craft-making, train rides, and face-painting. Indoor activities will include a short Christmas movie and popcorn decorations and of course visits with Santa with a souvenir photo – so dress for the occasion!

A limited number of children's tickets are available to the public for $20. Adults will be admitted free with optional breakfast tickets available for $5. Timeslots must be reserved in order to ensure appropriate social distancing, and all guests must follow face-covering guidelines. Space is limited, so early reservations are recommended.

YSB will also bring Your Santa Breakfast to Washington Parish children on Dec 12th at the Superior Avenue Baptist Church in Bogalusa.