By MADDY VITALE
Adriana Campilango is an old pro when it comes to meeting with Saint Nick. The nearly 3-year-old girl has been going with her family, and now her baby sister, Giada, to VFW Post 1963 in Sea Isle City for “Brunch With Santa” literally since she was born.
On Sunday, she tugged at her father Pete Campilango’s hand and walked him to her first festivity of the morning – to get her face painted.
After all, she wanted to make sure she looked her best as she asked Santa for some presents under the tree.
“Adriana just loves the event,” her father said. “And if my kids like it, we do it.”
Mom, Alexa Campilango, echoed her husband’s sentiments while holding her happy 8-month-old daughter, Giada.
“Sea Isle has so many great events for the kids,” she said.
The Campilangos were among about 80 people at the event, which included brunch, a meeting with Santa Claus and a free personalized toy for each child.
VFW Post Commander Chick Haines said “Brunch with Santa” has been a tradition for more than 20 years.
“We do it for the kids,” Haines said. “It gets the parents and the kids out for a real community-oriented event.”
Lena and Chris Cummins, of Feasterville, Pa., come to the brunch to be with family. Bob Cummins, is a member of the VFW post and his wife, Barbara Cumins, is an auxiliary member.
They bring their children, Gabby, 11, Chris, 9, and 7-year-old Lucas, every year. The three kids not only got their faces painted Sunday, but they really got into the holiday spirit wearing shirts that lit up with Christmas lights.
Lucas sported a green jacket with Christmas decorations on it and Gabby was decked out in red and green attire and a lot of sparkly accessories.
“It is such a great time for the kids,” Lena Cummins noted.
Then the family enjoyed a breakfast of waffles and eggs as they awaited Santa.
When Saint Nick shimmied into the room, he slapped a tambourine and gave a few “Ho-Ho-Hos.”
Kids and their families cheered for Santa Claus, who took a seat in front of a table stacked with gifts and called the children up.
And it seemed each child received a gift he or she liked, after telling Santa what they wished for.
Parents, grandparents and guardians clicked cellphone pictures of the children on Santa’s lap to capture the memories.
Toy trucks, stuffed animals, baby dolls, and games filled the tables as children quickly tore off the wrapping paper moments after leaving Santa.
“Yeah!” shouted Paul Black, 3, of Ocean View, as he uncovered a toy car.
In about an hour, jubilant children, stuffed from a full course brunch, scooped up their gifts and left happy with their families.
“This is what it is all about,” Barbara Cummins said.
