I have been portraying Saint Nicholas for over 33 years. I have been volunteering with Santa America for a few years now and it has been a joy. They are a great organization to be involved with. They give numerous schools, other organizations, individuals and families memorable experiences they would not have had otherwise. I have had many memorable experiences some happy and some heart wrenching. Here is the link to a short video of my visit to a school for children with special needs in Colorado Springs: https://www.d49.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=32&ModuleInstanceID=42593&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=44994&PageID=66.
I've known and worked with these Jolly Fellows for a lot of years. Their mission is simple, to bring joy to boys and girls. And they do their mission so very well. Keep A Twinkle In Your Eye
This is my second year as a volunteer for Santa America. The support that Santa America provides allows me to be more prepared to be the best Santa that a person in hospice, in the military, or children in the hospital wants to see. I am truly blessed to be a volunteer for Santa America.
I have been sitting in the Santa Chair for 18 years, Volunteered for Santa America since 2006, i have attended many other Santa Workshops! The Symposium in 2019 was the best training I have ever attended!
It was directed at the children's needs. To many of the past workshops or conventions have a great portion of the time spent on Santa's appearance. What can santa purchase to differentiate him self from others or how can I, the peacock get more attention. The Santa America training was all about understanding what the child needs, what they may be thinking and how Santa can put love, Joy and Hope in to the Children's, Parents and Support Peoples lives!
When I first learned about Santa America, I had no idea that I would be called to be one of their trusted ambassadors so soon.
Within a few weeks, I was asked to visit a child with so little social interaction that only his eyes could move to acknowledge my visit.
The family was overwhelmed that Santa would take time to come and spend some time telling stories, giving careful attention to the needs and capabilities of their child.
Had it not been for the support of Santa John and Elf Helen, The Santa America organization, and their devotion to giving just one more child a glimpse of happiness, I never would have had the opportunity to meet this family.
While I know the family was very grateful, that visit truly changed my life.
I look forward to answering all calls in my area and am humbled that Santa John and Elf Helen welcome me to be a part of their service.
I attended the Santa America Symposium in Kansas City last week that focused on sick and terminally ill children, those suffering from PTSD and their families and how Santa's could better bring them Love, Hope and Joy.
The combination of expert presenters and families who shared their stories was unparalleled. They gave the Santa's an unprecedented perspective on how to fulfill their goals of service. I took away a number of materials that I plan to use this coming season. I'm glad I went and I'll be there when they present another Symposium. I unequivocally recommend the organization and it's Symposium to all Santa's because everyone who "sits in the chair" encounters children with those potential challenges.
I am a member of Santa America. I attended the symposium in September in Kansas City. We learned a lot about spreading Love, Joy and Hope. We were able to visit the Kansas City VA hospital, visiting with the vets and passing out candy canes. We learned about Autism, PTSD, Hospice care and more. I'm looking forward to using the information and skills I learned in my area. It's a great organization.
I've been a volunteer for 9 years and Santa America is a 5 Star organization. The training is top notch and I always feel confident with the Santa visits. I'm proud to always say I'm a Santa America Volunteer.
I am a volunteer with Santa America. I have had the honor of working with some wonderful families going through some very difficult times. I have learned a lot from Santa America training to help improve those visits. Love, Hope, and Joy
Heartland Santa
I attended the Santa America Symposium this last weekend, it was very informative about the issues that Santa could face when dealing with children's Autism, P.T.S.D. and hospice. There were family's there to talk to us about living and dealing with children and adults that are effected by these issues. This symposium has made me take a hard look at what I might be able to do to help people in the area.
Thanks again,
Santa America,
Santa Red
We had Santa Kevin and Mrs. Clause come all the way from Missouri to Wichita Kansas to help our church give one of our young kids a Christmas to remember. He was in the hospital under sedation on Christmas. His name is Andrew and he was diagnosed with cancer last year. It was an amazing time for him and his family. All of his Christmas list was fulfilled by generous people. The look of amazement on his face was priceless to say the least. I never knew just how much this was going to mean but after trying to find Santa closer to us he was the only one that could make the trip. We were all truly blessed that day. We will never forget what your organization did for us and what you do for so many others. No words can truly say just how thankful we all were for this to happen to such a wonderful young man. He is still at St Jude having a very rough time with all the treatments but uses his Santa hugs a lot. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for helping me pull this off for him and his family. With lots of love and prayers for many more years. Eva Bidwell of Wichita KS.
I have been working as a Santa America volunteer Santa for a number of years, making visits to terminally ill children, special needs children, hospice patients, and veterans. I have seen how much it means to these people to have someone give them something special--Love, Hope and Joy, even in the midst of heartbreaking circumstances. The organization gives all its volunteers incredible training and support, helping prepare all of us to do a better job. Hearing from mothers who have lost children talk about how wonderful it was to get a Santa America visit is testimony to the importance of this nonprofit.
These are good people doing good work. With military precision, they recruit and train the best of the best Santas to lift the spirits of children in hospital and hospice care.
Keep it up!
I have been involved with Santa America for some years and have visited some of the children and adults. What a great experience it has been for me, very touching and at times very hard to do but the need is there. Please help us help those that need our services
just attended the Santa America symposium on dealing with any major problems that affect children. It was heart rendering, but very informative. I know a number of Santa America volunteers who spend many hours working with hospice work and children who have terminal diseases... I have seen how it tears them apart but they do it because it is the right thing to do. This is a great organization who does great work with a total volunteer staff and workers.
We were truly Blessed by Santa Walt this evening. SO realistic, caring and loving. He took his time with our family, took pictures with everyone and even read all the kids 'Twas the Night before Christmas. He was amazing, I can't say enough about this wonderful man and this wonderful organization! Thank you Santa America and Santa Walt!
Santa America gave our military families a great holiday treat and at least for a while that day, helped melt the stress away as they celebrated Christmas with their loved ones.
The coordinator was easy to work with and the service provided was very appreciated!
A heartfelt thank you from the MIRC families~
For several years now, Santa Rodney has supported our Exceptional Family Member Program at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. We are a military community who relate to and appreciate volunteerism and service. Santa Rodney goes above and beyond to accommodate our plans. Each year he is a highlight of our festivities. The visit with Santa Rodney means so much to our military families and their children with special needs; it makes all the difference in the world - it isn't Christmas without him. He has just the right approach, in particular for our kids who have sensory or other issues. Santa America really is a blessing to so many - especially those who have difficulty getting out into the community. Thank you for all you do and please keep up the good work!
"Santa Walt" appeared at our home in the midst of a Family crisis, which was a very confusing and scary time For our children. He was authentic (even I almost believed he was the real deal) and he put a light in the eyes of my children I had not seen in many months. The organization WOULD NOT accept any form of payment for his appearance, even though I would have emptied out my bank account in gratitude. They are a group of very honorable men who do wonderful things. God bless all of you.
Santa-America provides volunteer Santa visits to children in Hospice care, suffering with chronic pediatric conditions, or suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. Visits are always no charge to the families involved. Santa-America has formed an alliance with the Autism Society of America to create positive Santa experiences for children and families dealing with autism. Santa-America Santas also work with our Wounded Warriors and their children who deal with PTSD.
