High Ridge firefighters and volunteers from the fire district’s auxiliary served breakfast to more than 1,000 people at their annual Breakfast with Santa, held Dec. 15 at House 1 on High Ridge Boulevard.
The fire district held a variety of fundraisers to pay for the breakfast, which was free to the public.
“Throughout the year, we host a couple fundraising activities throughout the district,” High Ridge Fire Engineer John Barton said. “These funds help to pay for events like these. The money is not taken out of our general operating budget.”
He said the firefighters enjoy putting on the event.
“We have always had a close connection to our community, and this event is one of many that we host as a way to give back to them and thank them for their support,” Barton said.
He said the breakfast has become a tradition, going back at least 15 years.
At the breakfast, which was held from 8-11 a.m., guests were served pancakes, sausage, and biscuits and gravy, along with coffee, juice and other beverages.
About a dozen firefighters and another dozen auxiliary members did the cooking, serving and cleaning up for the breakfast.
Santa also was on hand, giving children the opportunity to visit with him and parents the chance to take photos.
The breakfast is just one of the community events the district puts on each year. It also holds a haunted firehouse for Halloween and a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Barton said.