Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus – in fact, maybe more than one.
The real Santa Claus apparently lives at the North Pole. But many others play his likeness at shopping malls across the nation, including the Durango Mall and aboard The Polar Express.
Most men who step into the red suit set aside their everyday identities to assume the role of St. Nicholas. Some declined to be named for this story, saying anonymity keeps the spirit of Christmas alive.
Seeing is often believing for children, and for many Santa impersonators, it is about creating memories for children that will last a lifetime.
“We do this because of the experience with the children and their families,” said Dave Jeffers, who is a new Santa-for-hire. “To think I might end up in someone’s picture book that will be around long after me is pretty special.”
Jeffers, 65, said kids’ eyes are round as saucers when he first steps into a train car on The Polar Express, run by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
“You get to see simple, honest joy from these children, and you are seeing them at their very best,” he said. “The kids are in their happiest place, and being a part of that ... you walk home on a cloud.”
Santa, too, has lasting memories – some stories are funny and others are tear-jerkers.
“You hear so many stories – from some where you can’t wipe the tears out of your eyes fast enough to others where you can’t stop laughing,” said one 43-year Santa veteran.
He recalled a time when a young girl asked to be rid of her cancer for Christmas.
“You just shrivel in your chair,” he said. “I am a Christian, and I told her that I would say a prayer for her, but what else do you say? You learn to never make promises.”
Playing Santa means taking on many roles, from a smile-maker to a listener. But often, the reward of a smile is better than any paycheck. Many of the men who play Santa Claus in Durango are volunteers.
“The whole thing is about putting a smile on a kid’s face,” another Santa said. “If I can keep even one kid believing a year longer, it is worth it.”
Impersonating Santa Claus comes from the heart, and these men are often kids at heart, too.
“The important thing is for the kids to have this experience with Santa, and the magic of the moment,” said one Santa. “It is as big of a deal for the parents of small children as for the children themselves.”
For Jeffers, it is something he anticipates continuing for years to come.
“I want to do this for at least 10 years ... and maybe even longer because it is that much fun,” he said. “Everyone is so uplifting and giving; it is wonderful.”
mrupani@durangoherald.com
