SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The community shared their holiday spirit on Sunday morning at a breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Western Massachusetts residents joined the festive dynamic duo at the Thomas J. Sullivan Banquet Hall in Springfield for the Christmas-themed event. "We love to have everyone here; families, the kids, Mr. and Mrs. Claus. It brings everyone together," said Ireland Leeds of Springfield. With Christmas in just 10 days, Saint Nicholas himself says this is a great way to kick off the holiday season. "Each child gets a teddy bear, a big coloring book, and a set of crayons," expressed Santa Claus of the North Pole. "We get the joy out of it. It is just so much fun!" Those in attendance also got a chance to dress up in their best festive outfits and meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus to share their holiday wishes and take pictures. North Pole resident, Mrs. Claus told 22News that events like this help to make holiday celebrations more special and memorable for families, "There are so many needy kids out there and they won't have a Christmas, so that is why we started this whole thing. We wanted to give back to the community and help the children who had nothing." Mrs. Claus says her and Santa will continue to find ways to give back to those in need to make the holiday time special for everyone. Local News Headlines Greenfield police gain access to school security cameras The end of the Boston property tax bill Massachusetts employees pay more for health care premiums Recent pedestrian crashes spark safety concerns locally WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.