Hundreds of Milton residents joined a who’s who of Christmas cheer-leaders – Santa Claus and his better half, Anna and Elsa, the big-hearted Grinch, and festive firefighters – at the City’s Pancakes with Santa event this weekend.

Fire Station 44 once again served as the location of this beloved Milton holiday tradition, with a tent outside the bay expanding the footprint to give attendees more and appreciated elbow room. Even before and well after the sun rose Saturday morning, firefighters busily flipped pancakes on griddles to ensure everyone who came could go home with full tummies.

That free meal was the icing on the cake (the syrup on the pancake?) for many in attendance, given everything else this event had to offer.

Families had professional photos taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus in Station 44’s homey home quarters (where firefighters might otherwise spend time in between responding to emergencies). Christmas music played in the bay and tent as children participated in tis-the-seasonal activities and hobnobbed with celebrities, like the “Frozen” sisters making their Pancakes debut this year.

And as important as anything else, people took advantage of the opportunity to give to those who need it most this season. Our neighbors brought more than 300 unwrapped toys that will make the holidays brighter for youngsters around our area. While it’s too late this season to bring more such presents, people can support our region’s disadvantaged by donating to North Fulton Community Charities – the non-profit that the City partnered with on the Pancakes with Santa toy drive. To learn more about this organization and to give, visit https://nfcchelp.org/.

Thank you to everyone who came Saturday! Events like these remind us what community is all about, and how blessed we are to part of such a fantastic, welcoming community like Milton.