Carl Ruggiero, Sr., joined the East Haven Rotary Club in 1996. The next year, he took over as chairman of the Rotary’s annual Breakfast with Santa and has enjoyed heading up the event ever since.

“I enjoy the children and the thrill they get out of the event—especially when Santa Claus comes in on the fire truck,” says Carl.

This year’s Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the East Haven Senior Center, 91 Taylor Avenue (Santa should arrive around 9:30 a.m.). Rotary members will be cooking up pancakes and sausage. Juice and coffee will also be served. The breakfast is free for children 8 and younger; admission for those 8 and older is $5 or a donation of a new, unwrapped toy for the East Haven Fire Department’s annual Christmas Toy Drive.

While children are waiting for Santa, they can fish for a prize in the fishing pond. Each chance is $2. The Rotary Club also helps Santa provide gifts for each child in attendance.

“I enjoy buying gifts for the children,” says Carl. “It’s a great day and we love seeing Santa hand out gifts to the children.”

This is also one of several events throughout the year in which the Rotary Club offers free Amber Alert identification cards. A second Amber ID card is available for an additional fee.

“We try to offer this four or five times a year because there’s a need for it,” says Carl, a lifelong East Haven resident. “It is hooked into the state police computer system and if a child is ever abducted or lost, it helps to get it flashed over the nation.”

Carl stressed the importance of having the cards updated each year. The Rotary takes updated photos of the children and the cards include up-to-date information about each child. He began getting the cards when his grandchildren were young and now gets them for his great-grandchildren.

“We try to update their cards every year,” says Carl, who is married with two children, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. “I look forward to my great-grandchildren coming to this event, though last year my great-grandson wouldn’t go near Santa. My great-granddaughter goes right up to him.”

Seeing the popularity of the Breakfast with Santa event, the Rotary Club decided to expand five years ago, adding Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. The Rotary also offers the fishing pond and the Amber Alert ID cards at that event.

Carl and the rest of the Rotary are busy throughout the year. The club meets every Thursday, but there are many other events, such as Breakfast with Santa and more throughout the year. The Rotary Club also served up hot chocolate at the tree lighting on Nov. 28.

“We’re really busy and come January, we’ll be even busier,” says Carl, who served in the Navy during the Korean conflict.

Once the holiday festivities pass, there isn’t much of a break before the Rotary’s focus falls onto its Clothe the Children campaign. The Rotary raises money throughout the year to benefit this drive.

“We work with the schools and if teachers, nurses, or principals see someone in need of clothing, they contact us,” says Carl. “We let the children come in to Kohl’s and do their own shopping.”

The Rotary has been sponsoring Clothe the Children for more than 20 years. On the designated day, the Rotary sets up a special register and schedules those in need to come in to spend $100 on clothing and shoes. Last year, 109 children benefited from the program.

“That was our biggest year—we started with just eight, but it has grown every year,” says Carl. “We do our best to space out the shopping to keep it confidential.”

Carl’s favorite things about the Rotary are the fellowship among members and throughout the community and giving back, not only in East Haven, but throughout the world. He noted that one of the Rotary’s biggest goals on a global basis is eradicating polio.

“We raise money throughout the states and internationally,” says Carl. “I’ve met a lot of nice people through the years. We meet every week over dinner and have a speaker once or twice a month. It’s very enjoyable. Anyone is welcome to join—our youngest member is a 21-year-old college student and we have 87-year-old who has been a member since 1978.”

Carl is also involved in several other organizations, having a longtime history of volunteering his time. When his son was eight years old, Carl got involved with the Foxon Recreation League and he has been involved ever since, having held a variety of positions, including president and treasurer, and he now is on the Board of Directors.

Carl recently gave up his seat as chairman of the Republican Town Committee, but he was involved in politics for many years. He is also a member of the American Legion and the Chamber of Commerce.

“I think back and wonder how I did it all when I was working,” says Carl, who has been retired from owning a beverage business for 11 years. “I keep myself busy and I enjoy helping out. My wife, Judy, is involved, too, and I don’t think I could do all of this without her.”

Donations to Clothe the Children can be mailed to:

East Haven Rotary

Carl Ruggiero Sr.

12 Oak Hill Drive

East Haven, CT 06513