On The Vine: Christmas at the Y with kids, gifts, The Star, and a soulful Santa

We are in the midst of the holiday season, or as I like to call it, “The season of good will and celebration.” And, as has been the case every year for the past four years, The Star participated in The Soul of Santa “Do Good” Foundation’s annual community breakfast, this past Saturday.

It’s an event that staff at The Star look forward to each year. It’s always fun and rewarding to be in the community helping to bring a little joy to families, and at the same time having a bit of fun ourselves. This year was no different.

The event has been held each year at a different location convenient to families from communities that have historically been underserved. The foundation started in 2019 as a single Christmas tree lighting in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District and now extends to serve other Kansas City communities during the holidays.

This year at the Linwood YMCA, a really nice spot, Star photographers set up a beautiful holiday scene — a snowy winter cloth backdrop, red bench, wrapped gifts, and a Black Santa statuette — and took professional portraits of families, some of whom might otherwise not be able to afford studio-quality holiday photos.

The “Do Good” Foundation invites some needy families to a delicious hot breakfast and gives the children each a bag full of gifts, plus access to new coats, shoes, boots and sweaters.

Santa shows up in a stylish red suit, not your traditional red wool and white fur Santa suit, but a double-breasted suit jacket and trousers, with a white scarf and red fedora. You know, Santa with soul. Very cool.

This year about 150 people were fed and about 30 family portraits were made. A second free community holiday breakfast, this one sponsored by the Linwood YMCA, is set for 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 20 at the Y, including a toy giveaway and, of course, Santa.

Off The Vine

Below are stories about culture and identity from communities in the Kansas City metro area. Go here to find more stories on culture and identity from Star reporter J.M. Banks.

• This Mississippi-born artist and Afrocentric clothing designer has shown off her fashions to buyers in New York City. Now, she lives in Kansas City and has a studio at the Zhou B. Art Center, 1801 E. 18th St., where her work shows alongside fine art. The artist talked to Banks about her journey and her designs.
• The chief executive of a Kansas City chamber of commerce talked with Banks about how the non-profit, Heartland Black Chamber, is helping Black-owned small businesses thrive in Kansas City using education, training and gaining access to capital.

Around The Vine

• Join Rainy Day Books at Unity Temple on The Plaza at 5 p.m. on Dec. 12, to celebrate the newest book by best-selling and nationally acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Jan Brett, The Christmas Sweater. The book talk will include a drawing demonstration and book signing
• Go on a holiday shopping spree at the KC G.I.F.T. Small Business Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the G.I.F.T. offices, 8005 Prospect Ave. Admission is free.
• The National Association of Asian American Professionals in Kansas City is hosting its annual holiday party from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 17, at The Mandarin at Vivilore, 10815 E. Winner Rd. in Independence. Tickets are $30 for non-members and $20 for members
• Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake, 3901 SW Longview Road, Lee’s Summit, begins Nov. 26 and runs through Dec. 31. This holiday event is for the whole family and touts a colorful drive-through light display using more than 300,000 lights.

Vine Picks

• In this guest column, the writer takes issue with President Donald Trump’s recent order canceling all Afghan visa applications leaving thousands of Afghans who helped American soldiers fight a brutal war, in danger.
• SAVE Inc., the nonprofit that this summer reopened Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ youth homeless shelter, Teresa’s Place, says funding issues are to blame for why it has fired a number of staff members. Reporter Noelle Alviz-Gransee has the details.
• If cremaqueso enchiladas with grilled shrimp, white cheese sauce and avocado salsa sounds delicious, you might be interested to know more about at new Mexican-style bar and restaurant open in the KC Crossroads. Reporter Jenna Thompson has the latest.
• The Star wants to hear about our readers’ favorite spots around the metro area to enjoy holiday lighting displays here’s how you can share your picks.

Your voice matters to us. What local issues do you want to hear discussed in On The Vine? Let me, Mará Rose Williams, The Star’s assistant managing editor for race and equity, know directly at mdwilliams@kcstar.com. Thank you for reading.

This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 11:20 AM.