ORANGE — Saturday’s “Breakfast with Santa Ken” marked the first year without Kenneth A. Reynolds Sr. in person, but those who knew him say he was surely there in spirit.
Reynolds, 64, of Orange, who died on Dec. 12, was instrumental in the annual fundraiser in its seven years. Held on a Saturday in December each year at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School, the event has featured a breakfast, crafts and children’s activities, a raffle, holiday decorations and, of course, Santa Claus. For $6 — or $3 for children, with children under 3 getting in for free — locals poured into the event to eat, celebrate the season and support a great cause, with funds raised going to the Orange and Athol Santa Funds.
For the event, Reynolds was affectionately known as “Santa Ken,” and after months of organizing, he would put on a custom Santa Claus outfit to play the big man and bring joy to the area’s children.
Reynolds was stricken with illness the night before his death on Dec. 12. Two days before Breakfast with Santa Ken, it was no question among organizers that the event should still go on.
“We knew that Ken would want us to carry on. He was always worried about not disappointing the kids,” said Shelly Hatch of Orange, an organizer and member of the Breakfast with Santa Ken Committee. “He would have been very upset with us if we didn’t do it.”
The event Saturday was a tribute to Reynolds. According to Hatch, organizers — Ken and his “elf helpers” — had been planning the event since May, as they do each year, meeting to decorate and plan activities. New activities, like wreath decorating and making “reindeer food,” were exciting to the children attending, who also got to meet with Santa, played this year by local Ray Bousquet.
But much of the event was dedicated to remembering Reynolds, with a table showing pictures of the man who “just wanted to make the kids happy,” Hatch said.
“He just loved children and he loved Christmas and he loved being Santa,” Hatch said. “He put on one of those suits and it’s like he became Santa.”
Reynolds had a number of custom-made Santa Claus outfits, from the traditional red and white to suits of green or blue. According to Reynolds’ friend and “head elf,” Klara Wheeler, who helped him organize the event for many years, Reynolds had been particularly excited to wear a white suit this past weekend, one he had wanted for years, but unfortunately never got the chance. That suit was displayed at the breakfast.
The mood Saturday was jovial, despite Reynolds’ recent death.
“It was very upbeat and the kids were thrilled,” Hatch said. “It was festive and everybody had a great time, and we hope that Ken was looking down on us.”
She added, “It’s always been Ken’s goal to assist the Orange and Athol Santa Funds. His whole purpose of holding the breakfast was raising money, more money than any one person could raise alone.”
Hatch said she has been friends with Reynolds’ wife, Donna, for 42 years, and got to know Reynolds once the two married, later helping with the Breakfast with Santa Ken event, which Reynolds started with his daughter, Kristina Soderman, of Orange.
Hatch said she watched the event grow from the first year, which only raised around $125, to later years when attendance grew and the money raised doubled, then was $400, then $600. Until the committee meets to decide how the money should be divided between Orange and Athol, Hatch declined to say how much was raised this year.
However, it was “more than ever,” she said, and will benefit children and families in need this holiday season.
“It was just a small event at first, but we’ve just built on it every year since then and added more activities,” Hatch said. “Every year we hope to surpass the previous year.”
Reynolds was known throughout the community not just for playing “Santa Ken.” He grew up in the area, attended Mahar and worked at various jobs including Stride-Rite Shoes, Woodland Products, N.D. Cass Company, Eastern Furniture and Schwan’s Food Services. He had also volunteered as an aide in the Orange elementary schools, and ran the Friendly Town Redemption Center for a time.
In addition, Reynolds was a member of the Orange Police Auxiliary for many years, a member of the Orange Lions Club, a 13-year coordinator with his wife of the Harvest Parade and a past president of the Orange Recreational Association.
But, according to Hatch, “this breakfast will be his legacy.” It is certain, she said, that Breakfast with Santa Ken will continue for years to come.
“Saturday was a tribute to him, and we want to continue it as many years as we can,” she said. “We’ve already had Mahar booked for next year — the first Saturday of December next year. We have the venue in place.”