For almost 20 years, members of the Abraham C. Treichler Lodge 682 have held a Holiday Breakfast with Santa as a way to give back to the community. This year's event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 7 to 11 a.m. in the Brossman Ballroom of the Freemasons Cultural Center, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown.

The meal will feature all-you-can-eat pancakes with a variety of toppings; sausage; and coffee, juice or water.

"The men make the food," said Dennis O'Connor, current senior warden and past master of the Lodge. "It's surprising how good men can cook when they're put to the challenge to raise money for the community."

He noted that the chefs set up six grills on the loading docks outside of the building, starting at 6 a.m. on the day of the breakfast.

It takes a village of volunteers to pull off the event, which has hosted more than 2,200 people in the past.

"I have roughly 130 volunteers, and they start setting up Friday evening," O'Connor said. "Our volunteers range in age from 12 years old to men in their 80s."

Members of Masonic youth groups, including DeMolay International and Job's Daughters, also volunteer at the breakfast.

People who attend the breakfast will enjoy a delicious meal, O'Connor said, while children will have the opportunity to share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus, who will arrive at 8 a.m.

This year's breakfast will also feature three giveaway prizes - a vintage train set, a Blackstone grill and a gift basket - as well as a 50/50 giveaway.

Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the mission and outreach of the Lodge.

"As a Mason, our mission is to help those in need," O'Connor said. "This is one of our biggest fundraisers. We've helped someone who was paralyzed get a chair to assist them in standing up. We've provided an accessory for someone to get in and out of their van. We donate to Masonic fraternal care. We help out with buying hospital equipment. We also provide three scholarships for Elizabethtown seniors."

O'Connor encourages people to come to the breakfast and then head just up the road to an open house at the Masonic Village & Elizabethtown Model Railroad Club, located on the grounds of the village. The open house will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 13th.

"This is our 19th year for this breakfast, and we're always trying to think of ways to think outside the box and raise money that will go toward supporting people in our community," O'Connor said. "Come on out and celebrate the holidays with us. Your donation helps others in the community, people who are less fortunate."

Tickets are required to attend the breakfast and will be sold at the door. There is no charge for children age 5 and under.