Families attending seasonal events in KC sit for holiday portraits from The Star
By The Kansas City Star
Tykeshia Ashley, left, and Ra’Malia Ashley at the Soul of Santa breakfast.
Dominick Williams
dowilliams@kcstar.com
For the past two years, Kansas City Star journalists have provided free holiday portraits to several families at the annual “Do Good” Foundation’s Soul of Santa breakfast as a community service and to spread some holiday cheer. This year’s event was held at the American Jazz Museum in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District.
It’s become a Christmas season tradition like the Country Club Plaza lighting ceremony, the mayor’s Crown Center tree lighting, and Santa’s Wonderland at Gates Plaza.
In addition to the Soul of Santa event, The Star team also provided free family holiday portraits this year at the Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch and the Mattie Rhodes Center – Northeast Office. The tradition is spreading!
Here’s a look at some of those holiday portraits.
Preston Riley at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Haia Engler and her children Hazia Engler, Reese Engler and Hans Engler had their portrait taken at the Plaza Branch Library on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Ilynn Howard, left, Lezlie Collins, center, Ja’Vian Collins at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Gracie Grace and Mary Jermann on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at the Plaza Branch Library in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Shanita Gates and Terryion Gates at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Public librarians (back) Sophie Williams, Ruby Jones, Steven Woolfolk, Alisha Helms, Lucy Donnelly, (front) Anne Kniggendorf, Anna Bernard, and Leslie Case on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at the Plaza Branch Library. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Alexis Hughes, left, and Harper Hughes were at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Ileeyah Jeffery, back row from left, Laycie Henderson, Derrick Benson and Lauren Henderson, front row, Zayshad Jeffery, Shai Jeffery have their photo taken on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at the Plaza Branch Library in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Bentley Johnson and Samone Johnson at the Soul of Santa Breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Moe Ourada and her daughter, Quinn Ourada, had their photo taken at the Plaza Branch Library on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Jazmine Roberts and Jayceon Roberts at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Anthony Rea, back row, left, Santa Claus, Talitha Castaneda, left front, and Gear Schweiger, right, sat for a photo at Mattie Rhodes Center Northeast on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2024 in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Back row; Dallas Davis, left, Tamela Ross. Sitting; Indigo Morgan, Shirley Redmon and Emerald Davis at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Monica Urrego, her daughter, Valery Urrego, and Santa Claus sat for a portrait at the Mattie Rhodes Center Northeast on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2024 in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Melissa Rowley, left, Mark Rowley and Aubrey Rowley at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
From left, Cholloe Miller, Danielle Small and Richie Cherry were at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Nilah Finnell and Mariya Finnell at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Branda Williams, Caleb Strother and Chira Strother at the Soul of Santa breakfast. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
