Santa and helper elf bringing Christmas miracles to Nanaimo

Laharty, who provides afterschool care for kids, said she was inspired to help after seeing posts on social media from local mothers asking for a helping hand during the holiday season.

She turned to Payne, who was working as a mall Santa at Woodgrove Centre, and they got to work, reaching out to moms in need online to make their list.

Using donations from family, friends and their own money, they made up gift baskets and set out the night before Christmas, taking them a bit over four hours to complete their route.

They surprised 25 kids and two adults last year, getting some personal details from the family prior to Santa showing up on their doorstep.

“One mom told me what her son’s favourite elf’s names were, and he told his mom, ‘I almost passed out when Santa knew the names!’ It looked like he went white, and he phoned his grandma right away, ‘Grandma, the real Santa was here, I knew it was because we knew my elf’s names!'”

Laharty said they received such an “overwhelming response” that she began making a list of people for this year, reaching their limit of 66 kids across 24 houses by the middle of October.

While they are not adding any more names to their 2024 list, they encourage anyone who wants to help to go to SantaSurpriseHouseCalls.ca to make a cash or toy donation. They’re also hoping to be able to get some gift cards for the moms as well.

Santa Dave Payne and Elf Alison Laharty plan to deliver their 2024 gifts over three nights this year, with the number of kids on their list more than doubling from last year. (Submitted)

While the recipients were excited about their gifts, Laharty said what really blew them away was when Santa Dave knew personal details about them.

Especially moving was a 22-year-old developmentally disabled girl they visited last year.

“She opened the door and saw Santa. She looked at him, and gave him the biggest hug, just yelled ‘SANTA!’ They sat on the couch, they talked about One Direction, her favourite music group,” said Laharty. “Luckily Dave knew a song from them (Payne: “One song, I knew one song!”) and she was just so enthralled with him. All she wanted to do was talk to him.”

Payne said he takes his role very seriously and has to try and maintain his composure during especially emotional moments, saying “You can’t have Santa ugly crying!”

“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before. Because you’re in the suit it’s like you’re looking out (as) the kid’s hero and you’re seeing their expression…there’s a responsibility to it, and I don’t take it lightly. It’s very important.”

Payne and Laharty said they hope they can inspire others to get out and get involved in their community and pay kindness forward.

(Submitted)

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by Jordan Davidson

Santa and helper elf bringing Christmas miracles to Nanaimo

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