By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is having its annual Breakfast with Santa event next weekend.

It is scheduled for Dec. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Carl Morgan Convention Center located at 211 Washington St.

Breakfast with Santa coordinator Nancy Sewell said children in pre-school through fifth grade can come listen to Christmas themed story time, sing Christmas carols, and eat breakfast with Santa and his helpers.

Sewell said the 20-year event has been an “overwhelming success” and they are preparing for more than 300 children to meet Santa.

“Breakfast with Santa is to motivate the kids to read during the Christmas holiday and thereafter,” Sewell said.

Sewell said she hopes the children will leave the event with a joy for owning books and reading. She said she hopes their parents will understand the need to read to their children and motivate them to want to read.

According to a study done by the National Center for Education Statistics in 2003, 24 percent of people in Dallas County lacked basic literacy skills. According to the National Education Association, a division of the U.S. Department of Education, children who are read to at home have an advantage over children who are not read to. Sewell said Selma Mayor Darrio Melton and Dallas County commissioners will be in attendance and are participating in story time as well.

The sponsors of the event are Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Zeta Eta Omega Chapter and Women and Youth Service Center in collaboration with the Dallas County Commission, the mayor and the Selma City Council, Culturama and members of AmeriCorps.

Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George, Franklin and other characters will be in attendance also.

Breakfast with Santa is a free event, and all children will get to take their picture with Santa and take a book home. For more information, contact Nancy Sewell at (334) 875-2481.