About us
President’s Report
Our Programs
Ever wondered what happens to those hungry kids who depend on schools for breakfast as their daily intake for nutrition? Often times it’s the only meal they have during the day.
We did wonder and we are doing something about it.
We didn’t stop with the Summer Program. After consulting with teachers and people in the educational field, we learned of the ever-increasing number of children who go to school hungry and their struggle with hunger.
More children than we could ever imagine are not only going to school hungry, they are also not able to take advantage of school breakfast programs (if offered in the school they attend). Some children don’t even bring a drink, lunch or snack to school either!
We started our A Snack at a Time program where our foundation provides healthy snacks of yogurt, fruits, cheese, crackers, orange and apple juice to teachers who have a “special cupboard” children have learned to go to for help.
We all had, at one time or another and for one reason or another, an experience of being hungry. We have all tried to “diet” or worked too long before we felt that annoying pang in our bellies…can you imagine feeling hungry all the time?
Well, the children we help don’t feel hungry; they ARE hungry all the time.
In 2018 our Nutrition 101, Salad Days launched at Lancaster Public School in Malton.
Children are taught (once monthly) how to make nutritious salads and have them for their lunch that day.
At Christmas time children of financially stressed families often don’t see Santa leaving them a toy nor do the families have the chance to partake in the magical celebrations of the Season.
Thirty Nine years ago our “A Morning with Santa” Christmas Breakfasts started and we have been giving thousands of families the celebration most of us often take for granted ever since then.
A morning designed with the children and their families in mind brings them memories to last a lifetime. A wonderful hot breakfast, carolers, colouring books, crayons, happy elves, a magical puppet show, Santa’s Den, decorations, candy canes, homemade Christmas crackers and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus who ever so happily give each child a treasure to take home…a wonderful and beautifully wrapped present!
Team
Our Board Of Directors
Maria de Fátima Esteves
Founder & President
Maria de Fátima Esteves
Maria de Fátima founded Breakfast With Santa Foundation 39 years ago with the support of her husband Henry Esteves. Maria and Henry have been married for 51 years and are proud parents to Silvie Esteves.
Maria de Fátima has been battling Lupus for the past 46 years. Throughout the years she has held positions in the banking, medical, governmental, and entrepreneurial fields.
For the past 39 years she has been involved in a great number of volunteer efforts by implementing, organizing and promoting various events and programs.
Maria de Fátima has won the Volunteer of the Year Award for her convention work, was nominated for the 1999 Modern Women Magazine/Flare Volutneer Awards as well as having been nominated for the 1999 Women on the Move Volunteer Awards of The Toronto Sun.
Recognized by the Absolutely Fabulous Women over Forty in 2016, was also awarded the Charity of the Year Award by Brilliant Minded Women in 2017.
She received The Cultural Heritage Award given by the Credits, Heritage Mississauga Awards in 2019 and the Business Excellence Humanitarian Award by the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business & Professionals in 2023.
Trina Christie
Director
Trina Christie
I grew up in Mississauga, went to University in Ottawa and currently reside in Oakville with my husband and teenage daughter. Giving back by way of volunteering in local communities with charitable organizations has always been a part of my life.
Alfreda Zaher
Director
Alfreda Zaher
Born and raised in Toronto, married in 1971 and have 2 beautiful girls and 2 grandchildren. I love to travel and most of my dreams of visiting various places have been fulfilled...e.g. The Pyramids in Egypt, Petra in Jordan, The Holy Land of Palestine, Dubai, Alaska, Iceland, and Canadian Rockies. I even sailed through the Arctic Circle this past September.
I was employed by Air Canada for 15 years, and retired 17 years ago from Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board. At that time I began to volunteer with Breakfast With Santa Foundation and have volunteered for the past 17 years.
Samir Zaher
Treasurer
Samir Zaher
Born and raised in Haifa, Palestine and at the age of 23 in 1967 I immigrated to Canada, where I met my wife 2 and a half years later and we married in 1971. I have 2 beautiful daughters and 2 grandchildren.
I love to travel and have been to many countries over the years, my favourite places were Barcelona, Spain and Istanbul, Turkey. I cruise once a year and continue to do so.
I worked for General Motors for 12 years and retired from Förd Electronics 22 years ago. I have been with Breakfast With Santa Foundation, for 11 years in the capacity of Treasurer.
Marilyn Marshall
Director
Marilyn Marshall
I am a mother of four, seven grandkids and one great grandson. I have been retired from the Toronto Board of Education for 11 years, I was the office secretary and really enjoyed working with the kids. Breakfast with Santa is such a pleasure to be part of such amazing volunteers helping children in need.
Henry Esteves
Safety and Transportation Director
Henry Esteves
Henry is retired from O.P.G. (Ontario Power Generation) where he held managerial positions for over 20 years. A steamfitter by profession prior to having joined O.P.G., Henry worked in this field for 22 years. An avid soccer fan, Henry played semi-professional soccer for the First Portuguese Canadian Cultural Centre and coached youth groups Under 15 Whitby Teams. A dedicated Board Member and volunteer for 39 years, he has been extremely instrumental in the success of Breakfast With Santa Foundation and a pillar of support to his wife, Maria de Fátima Esteves, our Founder. He enjoys golfing, dancing, travelling, and spending time with his family and dear friends.
Maisa Salhia
Director
Maisa Salhia
Maisa Salhia is a long standing member of Mississauga, with strong ties to the community. She leads a successful career in sales & marketing through multi-media with international corporations, national companies, and local businesses.
Maisa is a dedicated volunteer for many charities in her community, which provides her with a deep understanding and caring for others around her. “Our future for living in a better tomorrow is through working to build a strong society. Let’s strengthen the foundation of our youth and newcomers by giving them sustenance, basic needs and ways to thrive. Together we can get there!”
Tenci Leite
Secretary
Tenci Leite
Tenci’s roots are embedded by parents who left the island of Azores, Portugal, to live a decade in São Paulo, Brazil, to then permanently immigrate to Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1969. With an understanding, and knowing firsthand of the struggles children and their families face when introduced to a new country and language, a diversified culture and academic challenge.
Currently holding a managerial position in the Public Service Sector with Legal Aid Ontario, and sitting on a (second) Board of Directors for a non-profit Corporation, it reinforces morals and values of being fair, honest and to act in the best interest of individuals by insuring funds received are well spent, adhering to the governing vision and mandate in a responsible, transparent and ethical manner.
Proud of being the Board Secretary for B.W.S.F. and to be able to volunteer, gladly contribute, give-back to the Community so children and their families can have (in some-way) basic necessities, snacks, a meal, clothing which will give them hope, a reason to smile as well as to know that we deeply care for their well-being and they, too, have a chance, as she did, for success.
Teresa DeLuca
Vice-President
