2020 In Review

"I've been playing Santa Claus for 45 years now - And it all started by complete accident.

I was a security guard at Antioch Center in Kansas City and was helping them with a shoplifting case. The guy who was playing Santa at that time was a retired police sergeant and, when he came in that day, he had alcohol on his breath so they fired him on the spot.

But they didn't have anyone to replace him.

I was standing right there when they did so they turned to me and said 'Are you working all day?'

I said 'No, just this morning.'

He said 'Well, our Santa was supposed to go to the area hospitals today and we don't have anyone now. So we need you do it.'

I didn't know what to say.

I said 'I've never done it before Ed.'

He said 'Gary, there's only two things you have to remember - Don't promise a child anything and always be jolly.'

I went that day and never looked back.

I ended up being Santa Claus at Antioch Center for 16 years. I then went to Metro North and was Santa there for 14 years. 9 years at Independent Center. East Hill Shopping Center at St. Joe for 5 years. And then I've been down here for 5 years.'