YOUNGSTOWN — In 1959, the legendary jazz vocalist and pianist Dinah Washington popularized the standard, “What a Difference a Day Makes,” though more than 65 years later, Mandi Hopkins could write her own version of “What a Difference a Year Makes.”

“I’m a breast cancer survivor, and that puts life in perspective,” Hopkins, of Youngstown, said. “I was diagnosed on Dec. 24, 2024.”

A year later, however, Hopkins, who works as a cook for Meals on Wheels, appears to have won her battle against the disease and is in good health — which, she will probably tell you, is the greatest present she could have received.

Another delightful gift for Hopkins was being able to accompany her grandson, Israel Russell, 8, of Girard, and other family members at the annual Breakfast with Santa holiday gathering Saturday morning and afternoon at the Eugenia Atkinson Recreation Center, 903 Otis St., near downtown.

The four-hour family- and community-oriented funfest brought together children and adults for a unified gathering of entertainment and activities, against a festive backdrop for some, but a grim reality for others who are struggling financially and otherwise, especially around the holiday season, Clemate Franklin, the Youngstown Park & Recreation director, said.

“This is a very impactful event that helps a lot the citizens of our city and our community in times like this,” he said, adding, “Some people can’t provide 100% of what they want to provide.”

Franklin’s son, Legend Franklin, 6, didn’t hesitate to articulate the No. 1 gift he wants for Christmas — and it won’t appear wrapped or under the tree.

“I want to be spending time with my family,” Legend said, adding that he also hopes to receive a Nintendo Switch, a hybrid gaming console that allows users to play video games on a TV at home or with a handheld device on the go.

In addition, representatives with the Youngstown Health Department took part in the event.

Part of the entertainment component was courtesy of Youngstown police Chief Carl Davis, who played the role of ventriloquist for a delighted young audience who gathered to see him introduce Bay Bay, a blue- and wide-eyed ventriloquist dummy with a bright-blue sweater, and a few of Davis’ other sidekicks.

Behind the comic aspects of his brand of entertaining “dialogue,” however, was a more serious, long-term message Davis hoped to impart on the children.

“I wanted this to be a platform for them to see me in a different light rather than in an official capacity … and to see the human side. That is the key message,” the five-year chief and 39-year officer said about the importance of reinforcing the reality to especially children that police officers also are regular people.

The holidays are typically a time of giving to others and bringing others together, but it’s vital that children and adults learn and have ingrained positive conflict-resolution skills, he noted.

Another piece of Santa and Mrs. Claus’ visit to the recreation center — besides the usual toy distributions to children they meet — was the effort to provide a safe and positive environment for the famous North Pole residents, as well as area attendees. The positivity was achieved in large part courtesy of uplifting music that included the soaring 1996 R. Kelly hit “I Believe I Can Fly.”

Ordinarily, looking down on others is considered socially unacceptable, rude, arrogant and mean-spirited, but not if you’re Karalynn Moyer, who also had to watch her own step.

Moyer, who works for Columbus-based Castle on a Cloud Entertainment, lived up to a portion of the business’s name quite literally. That’s because the 12-foot version of her spent time closer to the clouds than anyone else while entertaining children and adults alike by making her way around the center’s gym on a pair of stilts, much to their delight.

In keeping with the spirit of community givebacks, children who had registered were the recipients of free gifts such as skateboards, throw blankets and Bluey toys. The latter is named after the Australian animated TV series that follows Bluey, an anthropomorphic blue heeler puppy.

The free toys also were age-appropriate, Faith Terreri, the Youngstown Health Department’s environmental health director, said.

Even though Christmas is three days away, Mandi Hopkins, who spent the last year fighting breast cancer, is reveling in the gift that lends itself neither to wrapping paper nor a spot under the tree, and the value of which is incalculable.

“Still being here,” she said when asked about what she’s most thankful for this holiday season.