Dana Gutkowski
Latest posts by Dana Gutkowski (see all)
- How can I be a good aunt? - May 19, 2021
- Aunt Quotes - March 19, 2021
- End Your Silence. Support Black Lives Matter - June 29, 2020
“There’s no such thing as Santa.” WHAT?!
Ah, Christmastime is upon us now. It’s finally here! The magic, the mystery, and the warm fuzzy feeling of the holidays are amongst us all. I bet you’re super excited to finish up your holiday shopping!
Or perhaps you haven’t even started yet. Then there’s always the chance you’re like me and paranoid about passing out in the mall because the thermostat reads 112 degrees and you’re wearing a winter coat. Word to the wise: bring water.
Anyway, I’m not here to talk about shopping. Let’s talk about someone you’re likely to see on one of your shopping excursions. Yes, him. The man. The legend, Santa Claus.
Maybe you’ll be around children in total awe of him. “Santa!” While others might be amongst those in the “He’s not real. There’s no such thing as Santa.” stage.
My response to that? I’ll quote my mother (spoken with a fairly thick Brooklyn accent), “Bologna on toast! I’m sahry, that’s just not truw! Gahdbyye!”
Contrarily, Santa is real ladies and gentlemen. How do I know that? Because I am Santa.
And you yourself may have played him at one time or are currently deep in the roll. Have you ever written a letter disguised as him? Dressed in a Santa suit? Made a phone call staged from the North Pole? Or maybe you’re just in it for the cookies?
The point is, Santa is real because he lives in our hearts. He represents love, charity, generosity, and kindness. There’s nothing immature about that. In fact, it’s quite profound.
So what can you do to keep that magic of Santa alive for the nonbelievers? Very simple. Turn them into Santa.
Let me explain. I’m not suggesting that you dress a child in a Santa suit and drop them off at the local mall for photo ops. It’s funny for a minute, but then it’s just cruel.
No, what I mean is encourage them to selflessly give back or donate their time to someone else. For example, Post Offices have letters that are written to Santa from families that can’t afford to buy their children presents. Anyone can adopt a child for Christmas and become their Santa. In fact, that’s how the charity Help Mrs. Claus started.
Her Story
Eight years ago my cousin, Jennifer, started Help Mrs. Claus so that underprivileged and in need families have a brighter Christmas. Through it, she collects letters written to Santa from children at Harlem Dowling in New York City.
The children in this program have heart-wrenching backstories. Some have sick parents and others have entire families living in homeless shelters. The families cannot afford to buy Christmas presents or winter clothes for their children and so through the help of my cousin and generous donors, their Christmas wishes are fulfilled.
In 2017, they successfully fulfilled 167 Christmas lists for children ranging in ages from 0-17 years old.
Difficult? Yes.
Time-consuming? It takes more hours than you could imagine.
But also, loving? Generous? And completely from the heart? Without a doubt.
Jennifer donates hundreds of hours of her time searching for and connecting with donors. As a result of her self-sacrificing efforts, these children now have gifts to open on Christmas. In addition, their backs are clothed with warm coats, their feet are wrapped in cozy socks, and their necks and hands are protected with scarves and gloves. Both their hearts and bodies are warmed through the charity of others.
But it’s not just adults participating! Parents include their children too by bringing them to her house to help wrap the gifts! They’re all Santas.
How I chose to participate
I did my part too this year to turn a nonbeliever into a Santa. I recruited my twelve-year-old niece Lola, Jenn’s daughter, to help me write letters back to the children at Harlem Dowling. All 167 them received a handwritten letter from Santa to go along with their presents.
This isn’t new to me. I’ve been writing letters from Santa for my niece and nephews and for others for years through North Pole Notes.
However, this was Lola’s first undercover assignment. Like many children her age, she stopped believing in Santa a few years ago when she put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Every child stops believing at some point, but that doesn’t mean that the magic of Santa has to disappear too.
Nope, it meant that Lola was now one of us. She’s a Santa Claus.
Initially, it was difficult for her to personifying the big man on paper. “What should I write?” “Does this sound okay?” “Would Santa say something like that?” However, with some guidance and a few examples from me, she and her best friend were firing off responses faster than me!
They really took to it and even showcased their creativity by drawing pictures too. Together, we all had a blast coming up with things that Santa might say – especially to a 17-year-old!
Not only was it nice to be writing to these children, but it gave Lola and me a chance to bond as fellow Santas. It felt great to know that we were delivering some SLC (Santa Love and Care) to children facing circumstances that no child should ever have to encounter.
Their donors fulfilled their lists and we responded to their letters. Hopefully, our collective efforts were able to make their lives a little fuller. Even if it’s just for a day, they deserve it.
So when the day finally comes that the mystery of Santa no longer brings bright smiles and cheerful laughs to the children in your life, don’t fret. Instead, I encourage you to turn them into Santa. It’ll warm both of your hearts. I promise.
Happy Holidays,
The Enchanted Aunt
If you’re interested in finding out more about how to Help Mrs. Claus, please visit the Facebook page Help Mrs. Claus for ways to donate or to just spread the good word.
