Staffers at Russo’s took a moment to share their Christmas wishes with Santa in between crowded sessions with more than 500 children who registered to share in the day. From left to right: Jeremy McMilleon, Santa Claus, Suzie Serra, Priscilla Lampasone, P.J. Connolly and Danielle the Elf. Patricia Adams/The Forum Newsgroup
More than 500 children passed through the doors of Russo’s on the Bay this past Sunday—taking advantage of what has become a neighborhood holiday tradition. Each year, Frank Russo opens the doors of Russo’s on the Bay to anyone who wants to bring their kids by for a photo with Santa and some delicious holiday treats. Ear to ear grins were the common denominator on the faces of families as they entered a winter wonderland filled with all the glitter and glow of Christmas.
Frank Russo maintains that his pleasure from the event is seeing the wonder in the eyes of the children that walk through room after room of stunning holiday decorations and are greeted with holiday cheer spread by elves, snowmen and other Christmas creatures before arriving on the lap of the big guy himself—Santa.
Busy as elves were the children of Russo’s staffers who took time out of their own holiday plans to make sure there were some beautifully decorated (and of course, delicious) butter cookies and gingerbread men. Among Santa’s bakers were, Juneau McMilleon, Max, Nick and Jake Russo, Patrick, Travis and Lia Connolly and Farren Retas.
Mary LaMarca has been attending the event since its conception and says she wouldn’t miss it. “I used to drag my own kids on the train to Macy’s every year,” the grandmother of 7 says with a smile, “but that was before Frank Russo.” And indeed, LaMarca was just one of many who praised the efforts and generosity of Russo’s.
The day that started as a simple gesture on Russo’s part—“I love to see the kids just smiling and pointing—they squeal sometimes,” joked Frank Russo, “seriously it’s incredibly heartwarming and for all of us here—well let’s just say we look forward to this more than you could imagine. It’s a great opportunity for us, and we are really thrilled to do it.”
And despite the fact that the event has been an ongoing tradition for several years, the staff is still amazed at the overwhelming response they get each year.
“Every year we try to be a little different—do a little more—than the year before,” said Russo executive Suzie Serra, “it’s something we really look forward to.” And this year was no different. Once again phone lines rang off the hook with people phoning in their registrations for the event.
“This is just so amazing,” said visitor Joseph Warren. An Ozone Park resident, Warren says he and his wife Juliet have been bringing their 5 year-old twins Jacob and Justin and 7 year-old daughter Emilee to the event since it started. “This is the only Santa that the twins don’t cry with,” Warren joked, “but very simply put, what they do here is great. A trip to see Santa in other places can cost you an arm and a leg.” But not at Russo’s, where everything, including the pictures and homemade treats, are all offered to the community at no cost.
But in addition to all the festivities on Sunday, there was a full day of baking and decorating by Russo’s staff and their children over the weekend so that every person who came to see Santa left with a delicious, beautifully decorated Christmas treat.
At the end of the day, hundreds of families went home with a smile, a memory, a picture and a sweet treat. Just a nice way to say Merry Christmas from Russo’s on the Bay.
By Samantha Geary
