On Saturday, December 10, 2022, the Gulfarium hosted Breakfast with Santa for the third year in a row for Feed Fosters of Northwest Florida with the First City Church. This event provides foster children a unique opportunity to celebrate the holidays and honor their foster families. The event welcomed foster children and their families in the panhandle area throughout Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. This year they had 682 kids and their families, totaling 1,037 guests with over 150 volunteers who helped put on the event. Two large tents were set up taking up a quarter of the Gulfarium parking lot outfitted from top to bottom with holiday decorations, Christmas trees, and gifts.
Upon arrival, foster children and their families enjoy a yummy breakfast generously provided by the Chick-fil-A of Destin. The children will then “shop” for gifts for their families! These gifts were donated by many local panhandle area businesses and give the children the opportunity to pick out special presents for their families. The families then enjoy a day exploring the Gulfarium, seeing all the animals and spending time with one another. They even had a chance to meet Santa while they were at the park!
Gulfarium is a proud sponsor of this annual event and enjoys being a part of the heartfelt memories created by the foster children and their families this time of year.
“We are grateful we get the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with our community every year! Sharing in the joy experienced by the children and their families at Breakfast with Santa is truly an honor,” says Patrick Berry, Senior Vice President of Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.