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Independence Center Santa on NBC in Kansas City, MO Read Story

KVEW-TV evening news with Columbia Center Mall Santa

The wonder of Santa through the eyes of a child

Carlsbad Outlet’s Be Merry! Band shares the sounds of the season.

17 November, Town Center at Aurora.

Santa was sitting in the chair when an elderly woman who had Alzheimer’s approached in a wheelchair. Her caretaker brought her in to visit with Santa. She was very excited, and reached out to take Santa’s hand when she got close. She exclaimed that it had been a long time since she had seen Santa. Her caregiver said, “Tell Santa what you want, Noelle.”

That was the cue Santa needed. “Noelle, how are you?”

“Oh, Santa, you remembered me!”

“Santa never forgets, Noelle.”

“Oh, I love you Santa!” and she followed that with a big hug. She held Santa’s hand through the visit.
We talked a little more, and Santa used her name every time, and she was so happy that Santa remembered her name. Santa would never forget her.

She wrapped her arms around Santa’s neck and excaimed, “I love you, Santa!” as she left, with a wink from her caregiver.

And people wonder why Santa enjoys visits.

This story was submitted as a comment on one of the other posts but is exactly the type of Be Merry! story we love, thank you Michael!

Santa sat down with Pensacola News Journal reporter Kimberly Blair
to discuss how the economy has affected the wishes of his littlest guests.
Read the story

A letter from Emily’s aunt Kate, upon visiting Santa at Menlo Park Mall,  NJ

People behind us knew we wouldn’t be long, as Michael let them all know we just wanted to chat and he was covered in ketchup from his fries and Lily had lost her barrette and had chocolate pudding on her cheeks. It was our turn. I was elected spokeswoman and gave Santa a very, very brief summary on Lily’s sissy. Santa in turn responded with an emotional “I’m a survivor, you know.”   I had to remind him that a four and a five year old were waiting for a response to my big question: Will he know where to go if Emily is in the hospital on Christmas?

His response was that he of course, would know where to go. Lily and Michael looked relieved and were given (bigger than usual, I think) hugs from Santa. Michael asked if they could take a wrap around cardboard reindeer ear head band thingy for Emily and Lily too.

We stepped out of the roped off area, said our goodbyes. We called Emily right away to tell her what Santa had said. Just then I looked out of the corner of my eye to see Santa trying to get my attention. I made eye contact with him, phone still in my ear chatting with Emily. He got up from his chair, a line of kids waiting to see him, crossed the ropes and came over to us, asking if I was speaking to Emily. I said “yes” and he gently took the phone from me to talk.

“Hello Emily, this is Santa. How are you feeling?”  There was a pause.

“Yes, it’s me. I wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you and will definitely know where to go if you are in the hospital.” “Well, I know you’ll continue to get better.” He went on just for another moment with small talk, asked her what she wanted for Christmas which she responded “I don’t know yet.” Santa chuckled. He ended the conversation with (are ya ready with the Kleenex?)

“Emily, I just wanted you to know that Santa loves you. I hope to see you soon.” He handed me the phone and he had such a twinkle in his eye (literally)..I thanked him, then he thanked me.    I had quite a “twinkle” in my eye as well.

Santa went back to his big chair,sat down and took a big sigh.  Then he waved the next kids on. We went home jabbering about our mall Santa and how much he rocks.

Merry Christmas and go visit Santa Claus at Menlo…tell him Emily sent you.

Love, Kate

PS. Emily was able to meet her Santa on Christmas Eve. She and her family and grandparents went directly from the hospital as soon as she was released just in the nick of time. It was quite a meeting for all involved, trust me.