Holiday joy fills the Mayfield Banquet Hall as families bundled up against the December chill formed a line wrapping around the venue Saturday morning. Inside, Theresa Santucci and her husband, Ruben Saucedo, dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, greeted a steady stream of children with warm smiles and free gifts. Laughter and music filled the hall during the beloved Snack with Santa event, now in its 41st year.
“Even in blizzards, families line up down the block,” said Mary Ann Dybala, founder of the event. “It shows how much this event means to our community.” The annual celebration, organized with support from the Midway Chamber of Commerce and its president, Mary Ellen Brown, has become a cornerstone of holiday giving in the southwest side’s Midway area. The full house on Saturday was a testament to the event’s enduring impact.
The inspiration for Snack with Santa came from Dybala’s childhood in Brighton Park. “My family didn’t have much, but I was chosen once to attend a neighborhood Christmas event. The cookies, punch, and stockings filled with candy left such a mark on me,” she said. “I wanted to recreate that magic for other families.” What began in a small banquet hall decades ago quickly grew into a major community celebration. Dybala recalled a turning point when a local business owner saw children waiting in the cold and offered his venue. “He said, ‘Next year, you’ll get the full hall for free,’ and that generosity has continued ever since,” she said. Today, The Mayfield Banquet Hall at 6072 S. Archer Ave. is home to the event, hosting hundreds of families each year.
Inside the hall, the excitement was palpable as children ages 0 to 10 posed for free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, assisted by Dr. Joseph Coler, a local chiropractor who has helped with Santa photos for nearly 30 years. “I do it for the joy of the children,” Coler said as he helped capture smiles that will last a lifetime. While Santa’s chair was the main attraction, the new vendor fair drew families to explore local businesses, blending holiday magic with community support. Vendors like Gabriella Cervantes of FCJ Designs showcased intricate 3D-printed creations, while Encantos De Yari, a bilingual children’s bookstore, offered books celebrating cultural identity and diversity. “Everything here is a labor of love,” Cervantes said. “My daughters, Clara and Ezra, inspire everything I make. Seeing the joy these items bring to others makes all the effort worth it.” Encantos De Yari’s owner reflected on the deeper meaning of their work. “Seeing families discover books that represent their culture or even their names is incredibly moving,” they said. “It’s about fostering identity and equity.”
The event was supported by local bakeries—including Weber’s, Pticek’s, Racine, and Fair Share—which donated snacks. Carolers from Chicago Hope Midway Church and Chio’s Puppetry provided entertainment, adding to the festive atmosphere. Mary Ellen Brown marveled at the community’s dedication. “Seeing the kids light up as they meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus makes all the effort worthwhile,” Brown said. Dybala echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the collective effort behind the event’s success. “This is truly a gift from the community to the community,” she said. “Every volunteer, sponsor, and donor plays a role in making this happen.”
As families left with toys, books, and full hearts, the spirit of the season lingered. Marianne, a first-time attendee, summed it up: “You never realize how much someone’s kindness can lift your day. It’s the little things, really.”
vents like Snack with Santa remind us that the true magic of the holidays isn’t found in gifts but in the joy of sharing them—and in those moments, we’re all reminded of the warmth a little kindness can bring.
