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On Saturday, Dec. 3, Santa gave his reindeer a break and sailed into the Long Beach Harbor to visit families of the Long Beach community at Parkers’ Lighthouse. The annual breakfast that comes with a chance to meet Santa Claus raises funds each year to support MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach.
Santa cruised into the harbor on a yacht instead of his signature sleigh, where dozens of children excitedly waited for a chance to meet him. Once inside, Santa went around each table at Parkers’ Lighthouse and met with the children, asking them about their holiday wish list.
“I’m glad that we’re able to come back to Parkers’ Lighthouse for this special morning,” says Rita Goshert, director, Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Program, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. “I think it’s very important to the community that we host this event since it not only gets families into the holiday spirit but also helps them connect and make wonderful memories with each other.”
As a way of spreading holiday cheer throughout Long Beach and giving back to children hospitalized during the holidays, for the past 20 years, Parkers’ Lighthouse has created the tradition of hosting “Breakfast with Santa” to raise money for Miller Children’s & Women’s, with 100 percent of the proceeds from the event going to Miller Children’s & Women’s. Parkers’ Lighthouse also collected unwrapped gifts from the community and employees alike to help brighten the spirits of patients who are hospitalized during the holiday season.
“Through the generosity of Parkers’ Lighthouse, we’re able to bring the holiday spirit to our patients and provide exciting toys and gifts to help make the hospital experience just a little bit easier,” said Rita.
Parkers’ Lighthouse before visiting each of the families during breakfast. Courtesy photo.
