Santa Claus visits Team Vance for brunch, photos

Published Dec. 16, 2009

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- More than 600 Team Vance members and their families had brunch with Santa Claus Dec. 12 in Hangar 170. Santa and his helpers arrived on a hay wagon pulled by a John Deere tractor.

Brunch included food prepared by the Bowling Center and the Vance Collocated Club, games run by volunteers and of course, photos on Santa's lap.

"Brunch was scheduled to end at 1 p.m., but we had so many children in line to talk with Santa that we stayed an extra half hour," said Kate Holdeman, Youth Programs coordinator.

Games for the children included Santa Milk and Cookie toss, inflatables and a straw play pit. Craft tables were set up to let participants decorate cookies and make ornaments and holiday picture frames.

"The event with Santa improves every year," said Ms. Holdeman. "More than 40 volunteers worked Friday and Saturday to set up," she said.

The brunch was a joint venture between Youth Programs and squadrons on base. "We also had a lot of volunteers from the Teen Center helping," Ms. Holdeman said.