Smiles abounded Saturday morning at Peters Elementary School at this year's ninth annual "Breakfast with Santa,". sponsored by the Northern Lehigh Educational Foundation.

Over 250 Northern Lehigh School District residents, including children aged newborn to about 10 or 11, gathered to meet with Santa and have a hot breakfast of French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage and more.Lori Geronikos, the foundation's president, said the event, always held the first Saturday of December, primarily started as a fundraiser but that "When it caught such popularity, we just kept doing it because the kids really had a great time."She added, "I think a lot of people in the area will tell you this is one of the best 'Breakfast with Santa' (events) because it's not just breakfast with Santa, it's crafts (and much more)… And this really puts you in the holiday spirit!"Indeed, the children sat on Santa's lap to share their Christmas gift list, all while parents took photos. They were also invited to join in on various crafts, like cookie decorating and making decorative snowmen. Plus, they could have their faces/hands painted, play games with a large parachute and more.Many of these extra activities were hosted by teenagers, such as members of the Northern Lehigh School District's Honor Society, student council and girls soccer team.They volunteer each year not only to help them gain their needed service hours toward graduation but also "because it's just plain fun", Geronikos said.In addition, some area teachers also volunteered their time and even brought in toys to be raffled off during the event's annual Chinese auction."Everybody works great (together). Everybody's wonderful. It's a great experience all the way around," said Dawn Kemery of Slatington, who has been volunteering for years.In addition to the event's volunteers, the foundation partners with other organizations, such as Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, which provided the cookies and icing for the cookie decorating craft, and many local businesses, plus the Northern Lehigh School District itself.Geronikos said the Northern Lehigh Educational Foundation was formed in 1999 by community members concerned that more was needed in the schools, especially in regard to science and technology, than could be afforded by them. She said funds come from a mix of donations, grants and fundraisers like this one.In addition, there is an endowment in which some Northern Lehigh School District teachers choose to voluntarily contribute funds via payroll deductions.The cost of the event was $10 per adult and children over 5; 5 and under free.Money gathered by the foundation goes toward funding such programs as "Bigs and Littles", which pairs up high school students with elementary school students for in-school mentoring in activities such as reading, homework and sports, among others.That program alone can cost upwards of $4,000 a year, said Geronikos. Another example she offered was $15,000 recently donated by the foundation to the high school for computer equipment.The Northern Lehigh Educational Foundation's next scheduled fundraiser, a 5K run/walk called the "Running of the Dawgs," takes place the first Saturday of next June.If you would like to volunteer your time or make contributions to the foundation, Geronikos encourages you to call her at 610-767-8423.