“It wouldn’t be Christmas without Jordan Valley being here,” said owner Jeff Wilhelmsen, who has continued the tradition since 1983. “We’ve been happy to be able to do it.”

Students at nearby Jordan Valley School have severe multiple disabilities, many who are extremely medically fragile. The goal at Jordan Valley is to improve the quality of life for its 70 students, age 5 to adult, and their families.

The holiday tradition began when Wilhelmsen partnered with the late Kerm Eskelson, Sr., who was the building’s landlord at the time.

“He said, ‘let’s do this to help these kids,’” Wilhelmsen said. “He covered 50% in cash, and I covered the rest. When he passed away, we continued doing it on our own. He was a real good guy.”

This year, more than 100 students and staff from Jordan Valley came as well as for the first time, about 50 students and staff from Life Skills Academy, Canyons School District’s post-high adult transition school which provides instruction and training to students with special needs who have aged out of traditional high school. 

All the meals were fully paid for by the restaurant and Santa arrived with treat bags filled with juice boxes, candy canes, clementines and chocolate Christmas trees.

“They roll out the red carpet; they have so much love for our students,” said Jeff Honsvick, first-year assistant principal at both schools. “Talk about the spirit of Christmas, this is incredible.”

Honsvick said the experience goes far beyond a holiday party.

“I’ve worked 15 years at a school similar to this and I’ve seen the incredible outreach of the community before, but there’s something about a business welcoming the entire school that just gives me goosebumps,” he said. “Seeing the students be successful in the community is huge for me.”

For many students, eating at a restaurant is a rare opportunity.

“A lot of our students don’t get the chance to eat in a restaurant,” said Rachel Murphy, Jordan Valley administrative assistant who coordinated the school’s visit. “Some parents feel worried about people and crowds, so this gives them the experience to be in the community they don’t normal have.”

Life Skills Academy Principal Stacey Nofsinger said those experiences are hard to replicate at school.

“You can only teach so much in a classroom,” she said. “So, they’re learning how to go to a restaurant, how to order, how to use their social skills.”

To help students be successful, Murphy said those who use devices to communicate, had preloaded choices and comments added so they could interact with the restaurant staff and when they met Santa.

“This helps them be more independent,” she said.

The place is familiar to some students, who come on a regular basis to learn practical skills. For years, Belgian Waffle has served as a job site for students.

“They fill salt and pepper shakers, wipe tables, wipe menus, bus tables, vacuum; they’re helping us and getting experience,” said Cheryl McCormick, a longtime staff member who has worked the event with Jordan Valley for 17 years as her mother did before her. “I love having them here. These are my kids. When they see Santa Claus, it makes my year.”

Nofsinger, too, enjoys the interaction: “Just seeing happiness, both my staff and students as well as the Belgian Waffle staff and how they love this, is fun for me.”

The restaurant remains open to the public during the holiday meal for the schools—and touches those patrons as well.

Matthew Smith, a sports videographer from Casper, Wyoming, who happened to stop in that day, said the party was “amazing.”

“Kids with disabilities almost never get out and it’s important they’re given these social interactions in these environments,” he said. “It’s what life is all about.”

For the Belgian Waffle staff, the purpose has never changed.

“This place is always open to these students,” Wilhelmsen said.

McCormick added: “And that makes my heart happy.”

At the Belgian Waffle & Omelet Inn, Life Skills Academy students practiced their social skills while being treated to a holiday meal. (Julie Slama/City Journals)