This year, Christie Farrell Lee & Bell is honored to continue its presenting sponsorship of Breakfast With Santa at YMCA at the Athenaeum. Though the unprecedented social and community challenges of 2020 mean this event will look different than ever before, it still represents an amazing opportunity to give back to the Indianapolis community and make the season bright for families in need.
A past Breakfast With Santa at the beautiful Athenaeum
What is Breakfast With Santa?
For 23 years, Breakfast with Santa has provided for guests from underserved communities and the Indianapolis-area homeless and domestic violence shelters. This event is an opportunity to create holiday memories. In years past, a buffet breakfast, crafts, and entertainment provided ample distraction for parents and children to each separately choose gifts for their loved ones in secret. The hallmark of this program is putting the parent in the role of gift-giving by allowing them to choose a gift for their child, and vice-versa.
While the challenges of 2020 mean some of these traditions must be skipped for this season, the mission of the YMCA, presenting sponsor Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, and supporting sponsors Oak Motors, Rehab Medical, Schmidt Associates, and Sun King Brewing is not compromised. That’s why we are calling on all of you to help us with Project Reindeer!
What is Project Reindeer? A 2020 Indianapolis Holiday Giving Opportunity
Project Reindeer is the YMCA’s initiative to deliver toys, books, and gifts right to the doorstep of individuals who would normally be our guests at the breakfast. We need both donations and volunteers to help make this project a success and continue to give children and families in need a Merry Christmas!
The YMCA at the Athenaeum has created an Amazon Wish List for donations of educational and age-appropriate gifts that will be delivered to locations around Indianapolis. All these gifts are modestly priced between $8-20. We invite you to choose the items you think look most exciting and share the joy with others. When you add the item to your cart you will automatically be able to select the address of the YMCA at the Athenaeum for easy and direct shipping.
Access the Breakfast With Santa Wish List for Indianapolis – Holiday Toy Drive
For those who would also like to volunteer, supporters are needed to sort, wrap, and pack gifts the week before the event. Volunteers will not be delivering gifts the day of the event. Volunteers will be required to wear masks during their shift and will be temperature checked and asked screening questions prior to their shift. If you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, please stay home. Disposable gloves will be provided and the volunteer area will be sanitized between shifts.
With all these safety measures and new innovations in place, we know Project Reindeer will be a success through the support of the Central Indiana community. We look forward to presenting a 23rd year of this incredible program and spreading the joy of the season. This event is always one of the highlights of our holiday at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell and we hope it can become a highlight of yours. Best wishes and happy holidays!