Every year, the Parent-Teacher Participant Association of Weehawken’s Webster School holds its "Breakfast With Santa" program, where the school’s students from pre-kindergarten through third grade are treated to a Saturday morning of fun, with a chance to meet and greet Santa Claus.
Students and parents get a full breakfast, with each student receiving a Christmas gift and a picture taken with the most popular fat guy in a red suit.
But this year, there was an added sentiment of sharing.
This year, the Webster School community lent a helping hand to a Weehawken resident who has suffered since the events of Sept. 11.
Jill Vicario lost her husband, Robert, when the terrorists attack the World Trade Center and since that time, Jill and her infant daughter, Savannah, have been trying to cope with the tragedy.
The PTPA decided that they wanted to help Jill and Savannah, so they asked members of the school community for donations that they could present to Jill at the event in order to help her enjoy the holidays as much as possible.
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner was on hand to make the presentation to Jill Vicario.
"I’m here to represent the entire Weehawken community," Turner said. "I’m very proud of our community. We’ve been known to help out everyone when they need our help and you were the ones who raised the dollars to help Jill and Savannah. It symbolizes the true spirit of the holiday."
Turner also presented Savannah with a giant stuffed version of "Clifford, the Big Red Dog."
Jill Vicario was very moved by the presentation.
"I was really touched and overwhelmed that the community did something like this for us," Vicario said. "It’s for Savannah. She’s the one who won’t have her father with her for Christmas. I know Rob was so much looking forward to our first Christmas with Savannah. It’s difficult knowing that he won’t be able to see her grow. I didn’t expect any of this. It’s been a very moving day."
As for Santa …
Meanwhile, Savannah and the other kids prepared to meet the man from the North Pole.
It’s been an annual tradition at the school for the last six years and it has become such a popular event that it is held in two sessions, which can put a drain on Santa, especially on an unseasonably warm afternoon.
"It can get a little hot in here," Santa said last week. "It’s much warmer than what I’m normally used to."
But according to Webster School Principal Arthur Palumbo, it’s a fun day for all.
"Just look at the kids," Palumbo said. "They absolutely love it. It’s one of the most enjoyable activities that we have at the school."
"The children really look forward to the holidays," said PTPA treasurer Grace Rodriguez, who was one of the organizers of the event. "So we try to give them a little bit of fun, get a chance to be with Santa Claus, before the holidays."
The PTPA raises the money to fund the event and the committee, headed by president Marie Hablitz, and assisted by members Sue Schlageter, Theresa Greco-Rudin and Sheila Casey, make sure that every kid is taken care of.
Not only were there a variety of breakfast goodies for the children and their families, but there were many arts and crafts and games for the children to participate in. There was also Christmas music filling the air.
It was a joyous celebration.
Palumbo also was moved by the presentation to Jill Vicario.
"When she says ‘Thank you,’ I feel like we should be the ones thanking her," Palumbo said. "I’m almost embarrassed. She’s a wonderful lady with a beautiful child. I told Jill that I can’t wait for the day when Savannah is attending Webster School. The time will go by so quickly. It certainly adds to the true meaning of Christmas."
The township, in particular Deputy Mayor Louis Ferullo, also helped in the donating money to the PTPA for the event.
PTPA treasurer Grace Rodriguez said she was moved when she got to meet Vicario.
"You see her holding her baby and she has a smile on her face, but you know she has to be hurting," Rodriguez said. "And you realize that the baby won’t have her father anymore. I really got emotional. It’s just what this event is for. We were able to help out someone who needed our help."
And spread a little Christmas cheer at the same time.