Santa Begins 30-Day Gig at Grossmont Center—With Benefit Breakfast Event

Sean Celecki donned his red suit, black boots and long white beard Friday morning to reprise his role of Santa Claus at Grossmont Center—for the 15th year.  His first ho-ho-ho of a 30-day run came at a “Breakfast with Santa” benefit for Rady Children’s Hospital.

Spearheaded by regional law enforcement and promoted live by FM radio station XPRS “105.7 the Walrus,” with DJ Dave Mason and his engineer Bill in a nearby booth, the event drew a steady trickle of shoppers. For $6, people could buy a Teddy Bear to donate, or they’d get two free pancake-and-sausage meals by bringing in their own new stuffed animal—which included a SeaWorld Shamu.

Kurt Bauer, a photojournalist helping Celecki, counted about two dozen stuffed toys in the donor box by 9:40 a.m.—20 minutes before the event’s end at the Food Court. Cynthia’s Hallmark employee Nick Taylor, 19, took care the teddy bear sales, dressed as an elf.

Celecki, 45, who was , waved “Merry Christmas” to passers-by and said he was expecting a 6-month-old visitor later Friday—his daughter with wife Jana.  His first child will have a ready made Father Christmas.