Instead of sleeping in, 19 Gateway High School students spent a recent Saturday morning volunteering.

“They were here on time, ready to go, ready to work,” Rotary Club of Monroeville member Sue Cox said. “We love partnering with them, teaching them the value of community service at a relatively young age.”

The students are members of their school’s Interact Club, which is sponsored by Rotary, and they assisted with the annual Breakfast With Santa at Forbes Regional Hospital.

Actually, it was an annual event through 2019.

“This is the first time since the pandemic that we’re able to get these families together and share in the community we have,” Dr. Mark Rubino, Forbes president, said. “The Rotary does a great job in supporting our hospital, and we’re very pleased to be able to partner with them on an event like this.”

Cox has helped coordinate the breakfast since it began about a decade ago. She recently retired as director of rehabilitation services at Forbes, and succeeding her as the Rotary’s liaison with the hospital is Dr. Tinamarie Estes, director of nursing.

During the event on Dec. 10, children and their families had the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus and Buddy from the popular holiday movie “Elf.” Gemma Stemley provided seasonal music on the flute, and Barb English brought books from Monroeville Public Library to read to youngsters.

Interact clubs organize at least two projects every year, one that helps their school or community and one that promotes international understanding. In May, Gateway’s club joined with the Rotary Club of Monroeville for a Peace Walk and Rally in support of Ukraine.

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