Dr. King Community Center hosts ‘Breakfast with Santa’

On Saturday, December 16, 2023, the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., Community Center, located at 1531 W. Vliet St., held its annual “Breakfast with Santa.” The center has held the event for the past 5 years and this year more than 300 children with their families participated. Every child in attendance received a toy from the secret “Santa Room,” where only children were allowed. Center Director Dee McCollum said the event was in honor of her son, Staff Sargent Krasean Clayborn, who passed away in 2018 while serving with the U.S. Army in Venice, Italy. Krasean, whose birthday was December 20, loved Christmas and it was his favorite holiday, McCollum stated.

This year McCollum also honored Chazzoe Sprewell-Norwood, who passed away this summer after a battle with cancer. “Chaz was my bonus son and I loved him like he was my own. As long as I have the health and strength, I will continue to do this for the community. The smiles and hugs from the children makes it all worth it. The Dr. Martin L. King Jr., Community Center is here to provide services for the community and as the director, I will always make sure that is what we are doing. I truly miss my son, but this is a way to honor him, and keep his memory alive.”