Breakfast with Santa sees record turnout for Windham Lions - By Michelle Libby

Zachary O’Brion from Windham couldn’t wait to see Santa and ask him to bring Legos for Christmas this year. He found Santa hanging out at the Windham Veterans Hall Saturday morning as a part of the seventh Breakfast with Santa event sponsored and run by the Windham Lions Club.

 “This is the best turn out we’ve ever had,” said Don Swander, who is a member of the Windham Veterans Association which donated the use of the hall and has each year to say thanks to the community for all they do for Veterans. With close to 1,000 people passing through for pancakes, sausages, warm syrup and orange juice. They ran out of food and had to purchase more including buying eight gallons of juice, when two will usually do.

“It’s a good turnout for a good cause,” said Lion Jan Soucy. 

Students from the Windham High School LEO club helped serve and manned a coloring table for children waiting to see Santa. 

The charge was a monetary donation to the Lions Club, which raises money for eye glasses, eye exams, eye screening for every student at Windham Primary School. All of the money they raise staying in Windham. 

Last weekend, the Lions Club donated 1,200 pounds of food, $1,000 in cash and bought 14 gift certificates to Walmart to the Windham Food Pantry for needy families, said Lion Bob Simmons.

The Lions Club has been in existence in Windham since the 40s or 50s according to King Lion Shirley Banks. The group has a little over 20 members, but welcomes new participants. They meet the first and third Monday of every month at the Windham Public Library, 217 Windham Center Road. 

Banks said that the increase in numbers had to do with the advertisements and cooperation of the schools, who put out notices and sent emails home to parents.