Parksville Lions club server Jessie Thorne, left, dishes up pancakes to Violet, centre, and Grayson Waldie during the Lions’ annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre Sunday, Dec. 3. — J.R. Rardon photo

Hundreds of area youngsters — and their parents — enjoyed a hearty pancake and sausage breakfast, created Christmas crafts, and posed for photos with Santa as the Parksville Lions Club hosted its 13th annual Breakfast with Santa at the Parksville Community and Convention Centre Sunday, Dec. 3.

Food and beverage selections were donated by Quality Foods, Smitty’s, Tim Hortons and McDonalds, and Thrifty Foods contributed gift cards that covered the cost of the goodie bags distributed by Santa’s “elves,” played by Ballenas Secondary School student volunteers.

The Ballenas students also staffed the craft tables and guided the youngsters through the making of wreaths, sparkling snowflakes, bead strings and construction paper Santas.

Money raised in the event will go toward operation and maintenance of the Lions’ Ventureland Playground and Splash Park at Community Park in the coming year, said organizer Irene Holland.

— NEWS staff

Hunter Nikkel of Parksville, left, and Jaxson English of Qualicum Beach work on a craft project during the annual Parksville Lions Club Breakfast with Santa event at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre Sunday, Dec. 3. — J.R. Rardon photo