COEUR d’ALENE — After she carefully dropped a red-enveloped letter into a special mailbox sending precious requests to the North Pole, Jordan Clifford scampered away, full of excitement.

She was prepared to tell Santa what she wants for Christmas.

"A trip to Disneyworld!" the gleeful 8-year-old said with a bounce.

She and her mom, Amy Mola of Coeur d'Alene, stood in line to share Jordan's wishes with the jolly old elf. Amy grinned.

"This is a great asset to our community, the Boys and Girls Club. My kids come for their afterschool program," she said. "And I'm going to apparently ask Santa for help in getting tickets to Disneyworld."

More than 400 joyful children of all ages and their families visited the Club on Saturday morning to have a delicious pancake breakfast, write letters to Santa and to see Santa in person. Club and non-Club members were readily welcomed.

"I think this is a great thing," said Kenda Simon of Coeur d'Alene, who brought daughter Kenliey Simon, 6, to enjoy the festive event. "This is in the middle of town, it's real close. This is perfect."

The adorably pig-tailed Kenliey shared what she asked for in her letter to Santa: "A Barbie house and Barbie clothes, a Shopkin plane and a Hatchable."

Maricela Nelson, 10, and her brother Knowlton 7, of Coeur d'Alene, were radiant with enthusiasm as they sat on Santa's lap wearing their Santa and elf hats. They even invited Mrs. Claus to join for a photo, and Mrs. Claus happily obliged.

"The main part of Christmas is to share the joy with others," Maricela said.

"We have loved the Boys and Girls Club and we have loved supporting the Boys and Girls Club," said their mom, Debora Nelson. "We appreciate that they're doing this community-wide event."

Raffle funds and donations at the Breakfast with Santa event will help support the club's Christmas for Kids event, which provides gifts, warm clothes and a holiday dinner to the club's most deserving members.

Info: www.northidahobgc.org