Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge Lawyers Association hosts breakfast with Santa at Fort Hamilton army base

December 8, 2017 By Rob Abruzzese, Legal Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Margaret Stanton has wanted to host an event like Breakfast with Santa for the last 17 years, she said. She finally got her chance now that she’s president of the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association, which hosted nearly 50 kids from Bay Ridge last Saturday. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese
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The Bay Ridge Lawyers Association (BRLA) hosted its inaugural Breakfast with Santa at the Fort Hamilton Community Club in Bay Ridge on Saturday, Dec. 2. Members, their families and friends all brought their kids as they shared a breakfast and then got to meet Santa Claus.

The event was the first of its kind hosted by BRLA and it hopes to make it an annual event. Judging by the success of their first one, they will have no problem scheduling more as there were at least 50 kids at the event who waited in line for a chance to sit on Santa’s lap.

For Margaret Stanton, BRLA president, seeing the kids happy and lining up to meet Santa is one of her favorite parts of the Christmas holiday.

“This is the first time we’ve ever had an event like this, and it was something that I attended with my son when he was very little and always wanted to host,” Stanton said. “It made such an impact on him, and this is something I’ve been pushing for years. I’m very happy that we’re finally getting to do it, and especially because we got such a strong turnout.”

In addition to meeting Santa, the kids had opportunities to make their own Christmas ornaments and stockings. There were also arts and crafts for them to make pictures of Santa or snowmen and paper and pencils if the kids wanted to write letters to Santa.

“I love seeing all of the little ones happy and smiling, so we’ve made sure that there is plenty for them to do here today,” Stanton said.

Santa was played by Peter Gibson, the husband of past President Rosa Pannitto. Pannitto, of course, played Mrs. Claus. Many others including Angela Chiaino and her daughters Gianna, Tessa and Samantha Chiaino dressed up as elves.

The Bay Ridge Lawyers also continued their Toys for Tots program and collected toys for children at the Fort Hamilton Army base. Unwrapped toys were collected at the event and they will be distributed to children of the soldiers at the base.

Due to the many holiday parties hosted by the various bar associations, the BRLA’s usual holiday party was moved to Jan. 17. It will be held at Encore on Fourth Avenue.

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