Western Carolina University

This article features an event that occurred in the past.

Western Carolina University’s fraternities and sororities will celebrate the season by hosting Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, in WCU’s Cat’s Den.

Santa will be the guest of honor during the pancake breakfast, where children and families will have the opportunity to snap photos with Santa and play at the holiday-themed arts-and-crafts tables.

“Sorority members will be at every table, helping children with the arts and crafts,” said Tyler Tadlock, a recruitment chair for WCU’s chapter of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, who co-created the event with Doug Williams, sergeant at arms for WCU’s chapter of Delta Sigma Phi and vice president for WCU’s InterFraternity Council. “Alpha Gamma Delta will help make picture frames from Popsicle sticks, and Alpha Xi Delta will help create reindeer hand puppets from paper bags.”

Delta Sigma Phi’s alumni advisory board has donated $250 so that families served by REACH of Jackson County can attend the breakfast at no cost.

Nonprofit organizations to benefit from the event are the American Red Cross and the Families of Fallen Soldiers Fund, which Delta Sigma Phi created and has been helping since 2006.

“We have two brothers whose father went overseas for military service, and he was killed during duty,” said Tadlock. “Their family fell into financially hard times, so our chapter raised money to help with expenses. And another brother lost his cousin who was stationed in Iraq. Since these events, we have continued to support the fund to help families of fallen soldiers ever since. Currently, we’re working with the representatives from the Pentagon to help military families in need.”

But this is the inaugural year of Breakfast with Santa. “My mother had a similar event in Florida, and it was always a success,” said Tadlock. “As a child, it’s so much fun. You get to see Santa, eat with your parents while Santa’s nearby, and work on arts and crafts. And for adults, it’s an opportunity to enjoy time with family, with a lot of fun, laughter, music and photos.”

Student organizers worked with Aramark, Western’s food services provider, for the event’s location and food provision, REACH of Jackson County for family participation, and local citizens for additional help. Along with Delta Sigma Phi, other Greek societies participating in the event are Phi Mu, Alpha Xi Delta, Alpha Chi Omega and Alpha Gamma Delta.

Event admission charge of $6 for adults and $5 for children includes pancakes, photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and arts-and-crafts participation.

For more information about the event, contact Tadlock by phone at (704) 258-8737 or via e-mail at tbtadlock1@catamount.wcu.edu, or Williams by phone at (828) 713-0965 or via e-mail at dmwilliams2@catamount.wcu.edu.

Maintained by the Office of Public Relations
Last Modified: Monday, Dec. 1, 2008