Magic at the Elks Lodge: Encinitas Rotary and Santa Claus bring holiday dreams to life for local families

The holidays officially arrived in Encinitas with a chorus of “Santa! Santa! Santa!” as local Rotarians transformed a simple afternoon into a magical milestone for local preschoolers and their families.

The Encinitas Rotary Club continued a longstanding community tradition this season by hosting a holiday celebration for children and families from the Children’s Atelier, a local preschool in Cardiff located adjacent to the Ada Harris School. The annual event brought together 34 toddlers and preschoolers, their families, educators, and more than 40 Rotarians and their spouses at the Encinitas Elks Lodge.

This holiday fellowship between Encinitas Rotary and the Children’s Atelier spans many years and reflects a sustained commitment to early childhood development and family well-being. The preschool serves children ages 2 to 5 and provides accessible day care and early education for families in need of additional support.

“This has been a long-standing relationship that existed well before my involvement,” said Linda Grensted, an Encinitas Rotary event coordinator member. “Each year, it’s really about making sure every child feels seen, celebrated, and supported.”

Event planning begins weeks in advance. Children’s Atelier head teacher Brissa Diaz works closely with Rotary volunteers to coordinate logistics, share age-appropriate information about each child, and plan the program. Rotary members sign up individually to provide wrapped gifts for a specific child, ensuring that each participant receives a personalized present from their wish list.

Following days of rehearsal by the children and teachers, the children were walked together across the street from their school to the Elks Lodge, where parents, educators, and Rotarians waited in anticipation, many ready to capture the moment on their phones.

The celebration began as the children arrived and filed onto the stage. After a brief period of organizing the joyful chaos, the 34 children—dressed in their holiday best, many wearing handcrafted red and green construction-paper hats—began dancing and twirling to festive holiday music. Rotarian Kyle Thomas emotionally stated, “I was overwhelmed with joy today witnessing the adorable cuteness of the children’s performance.”

The highlight was the arrival of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, portrayed by Rotary volunteers Mike and Lisa Walsh. Mike, a member of the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas, was greeted with enthusiastic cries of “Santa! Santa! Santa!” along with a few tears from children still adjusting to the excitement of the moment.

“For many of the children, this is a lot of attention, and it can feel overwhelming,” Grensted said. “But you could also see how meaningful it was for the parents. It’s a shared moment that brings everyone together.” Each child was called forward by name and received a gift from Santa with many photos taken to commemorate the occasion.

The event was supported by a broad group of volunteers and partners. Elks Lodge manager Henry coordinated the room layout to accommodate families and guests, while celebrated chef Christine Miller prepared and served refreshments.

Grensted noted the strong participation from Rotary members, many of whom attended with their spouses. “Seeing so many Rotarians bring their partners and be part of this together really stood out to me,” she said. “It speaks to how much the Encinitas Rotary Club values community involvement at a personal level.”

The Encinitas Rotary Club President Mark Berning added, “The event is not solely about giving gifts, but about building relationships and reinforcing a sense of belonging for families and children during the holiday season. The celebration reflects Rotary’s broader mission of service, education, and community connection.”

Founded in 1939, the Encinitas Rotary Club is a local service organization dedicated to improving quality of life through community service, education, and civic engagement. The club supports a wide range of local and international projects focused on youth, families, and community well-being. For more information, visit www.encinitasrotary.com.

Report by Kyle Thomas, Encinitas Rotary Club member, and internet and social media chair.