Teens spread holiday cheer in Prichard

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - A young man sat center stage and read a book to a full room of kids. He offered them a new face and a new voice to follow.

The " Brunch with Santa " event is hosted by the Mobile chapter of Jack and Jill of America . The organization's teens want to show the generation behind them they care about them and they matter.

"They may want to look up to someone and change what they are doing. I was just Christian rapping on stage, that's not really normal. If that appeals to them then maybe it will put them on a new track," said Jack and Jill member Christian Battiste.

At Jack and Jill of America, the new track starts with service. The teens organized and planned most of the event by themselves.

The Phillips Preparatory Middle School Choir serenaded the crowd with Christmas songs, while Santa took pictures with the kids. Every child left with a toy handpicked by one of the Jack and Jill teens.

"This gives them the opportunity to say, hey there are others who are less fortunate as you and you need to reach out to them and you need to serve them and just know they are an important part of the community also," said Vice President of Jack and Jill Mobile Chapter, Danae Bowman,

"Brunch with Santa" has been part of the Mobile area Christmas tradition for more than 30 years.