The spirit of the holiday season was alive Sunday morning at the 11th Christmas Breakfast to benefit TEAM’s annual Toys 4 Kids campaign.
In what has become a tradition, Tom and Diane Baklik host a breakfast each year while collecting toys for children and families in need helped by TEAM, Inc. of Derby.
“TEAM takes care of a lot of families,” Tom Baklik said.
The event draws hundreds of residents from throughout the Valley and surrounding communities.
Baklik is a barber and he operates Yankee Clipper, A Country Barber Shop, out of his house on Chucta Road.
“It started as a party for my customers,” Baklik said. “My wife suggested that the guys bring a toy,” he said.
The rest is history.
David Morgan, CEO of TEAM, Inc., said last year Toys 4 Kids distributed 8,000 toys to 1,300 children in the Valley.
“Everybody comes together and there is a feeling of community connectedness,” Morgan said.
This year there are 160 people volunteering for Toys 4 Kids, he said.
The party Sunday included breakfast, music provided by singer Michael Rea, former members of Park City Pride and the Connecticut Hurricanes, and a visit from Santa Claus.
The jolly old man was escorted onto the Bakliks’ property by Seymour police and the Blue Knights, a law enforcement motorcycle club Chapter 11 from Shelton. The Blue Knights are current and retired law enforcement officers, said President Mark Caulfield, a Monroe police officer.
Blue Knights Chapter XI President Mark Caulfield, a Monroe police officer, said members donated toys and $250 to pay for gift wrapping.
“Every year we’ve seen the party grow bigger and bigger,” Caulfield said. “It’s a testament to what people do when the holidays come around. People still care for others.”
D.J. Divincenzo, 10, and Max Divincenzo, 6, helped collect toy donations as people arrived. They were working alongside Joseph Ostuno, 16, of Derby, and Matt Dorso, 25, of Ansonia.
Ostuno is one of Baklik’s customers; Dorso is a cousin.
When Santa arrived on a tractor Baklik gave him a “haircut,” to the delight of the crowd. Children lined up to sit on Santa’s lap to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.
Oxford resident Chloe Gras, 8, said she asked for an American Girl doll.
Emil Senger Post 10, American Legion in Seymour posted the colors to open the festivities.
Ross Kenney of Fairfield and Richard Schreiner of Derby, members of the 6th Connecticut Regiment, demonstrated use of Revolutionary War-era rifles.
Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto was one of several Valley elected officials on hand. It was her first time attending the event.
“This really puts you in the Christmas spirit,” she said.
CLICK HERE for more information on Team’s Toys 4 Kids campaign.
