Santa Gets a Visit

Today, a woman poked her head into my office and asked if I had a minute. Okay, I got a minute.

She sat down in the chair across from my desk and smiled. “I wanted to meet Santa Claus.”

Since I run a nonprofit mental health agency, this was not all that unusual of an opening. Certainly, much preferable to brandishing a weapon, which sometimes happens.

She read my face. “Oh, I’m not a client. I’m a teacher. I’m Kirstin’s teacher, to be precise.”

I recognized the name because I had rehearsed it a couple weeks previous.

“Just before break, she stood up at show & tell and told us about her visit from Santa. I can’t tell you the impact it had on that girl.” But, she did.

Great to hear, as I don’t enjoy playing Santa. My staff loves it.

Every year, we select an indigent family (usually a single-parent family), find out what they need or want, and buy the gifts from our own pockets. Then, at a pre-arranged time, Santa (me) and an elf (one of the staff) make the visit, and make the kids feel special.

The credit for this goes to our staff, a couple women in particular. My role is simply grumbling while they dress me up (adds to their delight), driving a truck full of gifts with about half my vision obscured by the beard and wig, and boosting the spirits of the children. The staff orchestrates all this; I’m just a bit player. The feedback is that these families appreciate gifts from all sources, but the extra Santa effort is really special to them.

It’s one thing to hear that third or fourth hand, but the recount this teacher gave of Kirstin’s presentation and the look on her face made it all worthwhile, and then some.

Many people make contributions of various kinds that are appreciated. But, the recipients especially appreciate extra thought, just like anyone else. Make it and you’ll be glad you did.