Santa John’s Story

“For many years my wife has coordinated a Christmas Gift Program. During the few weeks leading up to December 24 our house gets transformed into Santa’s Workshop. There are toys spreading through every room in our house – more than I could imagine being anywhere other than in a toy store.

My job was to help pick up toys and gifts from some fabulous individuals and places of work, and help them get safely to their designated new homes in preparation for Christmas morning. These gifts were for children and families who do not have money for the holiday season extras. There are also individuals, groups of friends, families and co-workers who worked diligently to sponsor a family, senior or youth who were less fortunate than themselves.

“…I helped co-ordinate crews of letter carriers to collect letters from children at various Santa Claus parades in the Greater Toronto Area…”

The elves did all the sorting of toys and I delivered a many of them. The faces of those receiving were the driving force behind why we continue to do this year after year. I was even chased after with a homemade cake and other goodies as a reward for my deliveries. It gave me a feeling of great joy to be able to help someone who was less fortunate than me.

As a Canada Post employee I helped co-ordinate crews of letter carriers to collect letters from children at various Santa Claus parades in the Greater Toronto Area and I too collected some letters. At one particular parade I was behind all the letter carriers checking to see that all participants were safe when one of the letter carriers approached me with a problem. A 3 year old had a letter for Santa but would not give it to him because he didn’t “look” like Santa Claus. I approached the little girl and asked “Do you have a letter for me” she looked up quizzically and handed me the letter. This strengthened my resolve to look more seriously into becoming Santa John.

“Now, as a professional Santa I spend my time making magical moments for many.”