On Saturday morning, children and parents descended on the Selma Convention Center to take part in this year’s “Breakfast with Santa” program, an event sponsored by the local Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program and sponsored by the Zeta Eta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA).

Careening through the crowd were The Grinch, Curious George and a variety of other storybook characters while Christmas music played softly in the background and children thumbed through a variety of books placed atop every table in the convention center.

“This is our first time coming,” said Patrice Hardy, a member of the local AKA chapter, who was in attendance with her daughter Payton. “We’re so excited. It’s something fun for the kids and the community, but it’s also a learning opportunity.”

Hardy noted the books that would be given away throughout the event, roughly 200 in all, as part of RIF’s initiative to inspire children to read and develop a habit or life-long learning.

Local AKA chapter President Elizabeth Rutledge welcomed those in attendance, as did Billy Young, President of the Delta Pi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, a new supporter of the event. Both talked about the importance and joy of reading and worked to get the kids excited about the upcoming festivities of the day’s event.

“We are examples of individuals who had to read and now have jobs and occupations,” Young said to the crowd. “We want the best for you. When you’re bored, pick up a book.”

Local RIF Coordinator Nancy Sewell addressed the crowd also and led the children in a chant of “Reading is fun! Oh so fun!”

According to Sewell, the RIF program was launched in 1973 and the Selma chapter only four years later – Sewell has been with the local organization since its inception. The local breakfast event has been ongoing since 1993.

Sewell recently recognized by the national RIF program during its 50th anniversary celebration, as was the Selma incarnation of the program.

“We are about enriching the community,” Sewell said. “What better way to do it than helping the children?”

Sewell noted that this year’s turnout was smaller than that of years past because organizers had to change the date of the event due to the rescheduling of the city’s Christmas parade, but she still considered the event a success and expected more children to trickle in throughout the morning.

“[The program] is to motivate children and inspire parents to read to their children,” Sewell said. “If you read to your children from the time they’re young, you’ll have a reader for life.”

“Selma is what they see,” Rutledge said of the children who benefit from the program’s multitude of efforts throughout the community. “We want them to see and experience more.”

The operation recently received a $1,700 grant from the Blackbelt Community Foundation to fund some of its efforts and has also received support from the Dallas County Commission, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) and individual fundraising efforts from the group and its supporters in the community.

The RIF program launched its “Reading for Success” initiative at Southside Primary School, which puts books and reading journals in the hands of students to be enjoyed over the summer break. Further, the group has launched a tutoring program at Bruce K. Craig Elementary School to assist those students in excelling at reading.