During the holidays, Parkers’ Lighthouse located in Shoreline Village in downtown Long Beach, held its annual “Breakfast with Santa” event. More than 300 community members came on Saturday, Dec. 3 to have breakfast with the “big guy” in red and to bring a toy for patients spending the holidays at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach.

The annual event, which has been going on for more than 15 years, starts with Santa cruising in on a yacht, donated by Spirit Cruises. Children of all ages lined up to visit with him and get their photo taken before enjoying a breakfast prepared by Parkers’ own executive chef. The children also were greeted by “BLUE”, the whale mascot from Aquarium of the Pacific, a partner of
Miller Children’s and supporter of the Long Beach community.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event went to the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children’s for pediatric cancer treatment and research. This year, the event raised more than $2,000 for JJCCC and Parkers’ staff volunteered their time to wait tables for the families who purchased tickets.

“Myself, and the staff, look forward to this event every year,” says Michael Cole, general manager, Parkers’ Lighthouse. “Giving back to Miller Children’s is our driving force behind this event and we hope to continue this long-held tradition well into the future.”

Parkers’ Llighthouse has been at its current location since 1983 and the majority of their
160 employees are Long Beach residents and/or attend California State University, Long Beach.
The restaurant truly exemplifies the concept of community partnership and giving back is part of its corporate philosophy.