Letters to Santa USA
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November 2009
A couple of years
ago, I had lunch with a sweetheart second cousin of mine, Dorothy
Lockhart and her dear, husband Don, and they told me about their
work with
Santa USA.
I told them it
sounded like fun and I came to a meeting and joined up as an elf /
character, as it’s not a far stretch for me. The fan fare and
excitement that David Moon, and MANY of his elves exudes is
infectious.
On location, when
those helicopters come into sight, it is simply AMAZING to see so
many people’s eyes light up! You can feel the excitement in the
crowd. And when Santa and Mrs. Claus step out of those choppers,
the cheer and smiles on everyone’s faces is worth every race
through every traffic light or school zone taken to beat Santa to
a location!
Spreading
Christmas cheer in this manner to every senior citizen, long-since
thought forgotten is PRICELESS!!!!
Being a part of
the Santa USA team, to me, means THE WORLD IS A
BETTER PLACE because we made it that way and I only wish we could
get our paws on some of that real magic dust Santa uses to help
make it all just a hair less effortless!
-
Mariana Sherwood
In December of
1998 my family was going thru a very difficult time. My Brother
was ill and my Father was in the last stages of cancer. He was
living at Heartland Nursing Home in Bedford. I heard that Santa
would be arriving by helicopter to the facility on the Saturday
before Christmas and I decided to take my 5 year old Grandson to
see him.
I was so
impressed with all the characters and volunteers that took time
out of their busy lives at Christmas time to cheer up these
folks and their families that were not where they wanted to be
but had no other choice. It meant so much to me that I decided
that when and if I ever retired, I would like to become a part
of this wonderful organization.
As it so
happened, my Dad passed away in January, My Brother recovered
and I lost my job that spring so I retired sooner than
expected.
After
asking several people about Santa USA, I learned that the
mastermind behind all of it, David Moon, belonged to the same
church that I attended. I talked with him and he invited me to
the next meeting and I was hooked.
I have
enjoyed every minute of it and now it wouldn't be Christmas
without the visits to schools, children's hospitals, nursing
homes and all the other wonderful places we go to bring a little
holiday cheer to others and, in return, receive it for
ourselves. I consider this my Christmas present to myself and
hope that I can continue on for several more years.
- Jean
Smyers
December 2009
What Santa USA Means to
Me
How do you say Christmas? So
many things come to mind—children, laughter, families,
decorations, presents, music, Christmas Eve services, but most of
all, giving. I first became aware of Santa USA the first
Christmas we lived in our house in Hurst. I heard a loud
commotion and looked out the window. Helicopters were landing on
the playground across the street. Suddenly, Santa, Mrs. Claus,
Frosty, Rudolph, and a host of elves appeared. The school
children were so excited. What fun! Then, I was invited to
participate in Santa USA. I had no idea what I was getting in
to. Bringing joy and smiles to the faces of the school children
is unbelievable, but, that is not the whole story. The real story
takes place in the hospitals and nursing homes that we visit. To
see the smiles on the faces of these people as Santa arrives, to
listen to them sing Christmas songs with the elves, to watch them
as they receive a hug from Frosty and Rudolph is to see the true
spirit of Christmas come alive. What does Santa USA mean to me?
It is an opportunity for me to give a little joy and happiness to
others. And in giving, I receive so much more. Santa USA is what
Christmas is all about. Christmas would not be as special, if I
could not join with all the volunteers in wishing this special
“Merry Christmas” to the children of all ages that we meet. I
wish everyone had the opportunity to be part of this outstanding
organization. I am so grateful to David Moon for his vision.
- Susan Radde
December 2009
Wow - my life has forever
changed thanks to an organization more people need to know
about, Santa USA. For the last 7 or so years I have been able
to watch my children and their friends
scream in delight as Santa
arrived at our school (Hurst Hills) by helicopter, slosh in the
rain when he couldn't fly and greet Santa and the troop of merry
elves and characters by our Suzuki students.
So much so, that I wanted
more. This year I took a leap of faith and joined the most
wonderful, caring organization this side of the North Pole. I
have watched sick children smile as Santa walked into a hospital
room, seen a young teenager who if you asked him if he believed
in Santa would give you the "yeah right" comment - offer to
share his Chicken Express and loads of catsup with Mr. Claus
and even hug him goodbye, watched little children cry big tears
as Santa waved goodbye and to "come back" and grownups who
remember seeing Santa come to their schools when they were
young. This magically experience wouldn't have been possible
within the love of Santa Moon - who is the brain behind this
wonderful adventure. Since this is my first year with the team,
Santa Moon asked me "Are you hooked yet? If not see me after
class". My answer to anyone who asked - not only am I hooked -
I'm a committed Lifer - just try and tell me that I can't do
this again.
IF you and your family are
looking for an organization that givens not only of their
talents and time, but of their hearts as well - you need to look
no further. This organization is a family thing, and I feel so
blessed to have them in mine. Thank you Santa Moon and the
entire Santa USA organization for reminding me about the true
meaning of Christmas, and how important a touch, a hug and a
laugh can do to brighten someone's day.
This experience has made my
year.
Winston Churchill said: "We
make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we
give." Santa USA volunteers have blessed lives, in that they are
part of a special organization which has given happiness to a
countless number of people for three decades. As a volunteer
over the last few years, I feel lucky to witness
the excitement that Santa USA brings. Before the arrival of
Santa and crew, everyone in the crowd cranes their necks
and looks towards the sky in anticipation, wanting to be the
first to point and exclaim, "There he is!" I look forward to
this each and every time. This is just one example of how being
a volunteer for Santa USA has brought joy into my life and into
the lives of others.
Old Fashion Baptist
Ministries![MCj03048610000[1]](LettersToSanta_files/image002.gif)
Nursing Home /Rehab
February
20, 2010
My
first year with Santa USA was in 1996 David had ask me to join the
team and that December was life changing for me. At that time I
was out of church had gotten away from God and nothing seemed
important to me anymore, until one Saturday afternoon when we
landing at a small nursing home in Grapevine and David insisted
that I go inside with him and you know how David is when he wants
something he is like a pit bull he don’t let go.
I followed him in to the
facility and notices a lady setting in her room very quite I
stopped and went into her room sat on the floor and talked to her
she begin to raise her head and then a smile came, as we were
leaving the director stopped me and said thank you, I said for
what and she said for talking to that resident you are the first
visitor she has had in a year.
She told me that her son
checked her in a year ago, left me a business card with the name
of a funeral home and said they know what to do and left, we don’t
know how to get in touch with him and he hasn’t been back. We have
many, many like her in these facilities I call them my throw a
way’s they have been thrown away like an old pair of shoes
I have never been touched
like this in my life when I was told no one cared about her. God
puts us where He wants us and He wanted me there that day for one
reason and that was to see a need, I saw that day that His
children needed the Word of God to lift them up, get them out of
the valley of despair and set their feet on the mountain top. God
put a burden on my heart to start the Old Fashion Baptist
Ministries, we don’t go to entertain we have a regular church
service for the residents.
I set here today thinking
only by the Grace of God there be I. I could be one of those
residents and if it be the Will of God that I ever have the need
to be in that situation I would hope that some big mouthed Baptist
preacher would come and preach the Word of God to me.
Thanks David for Santa USA,
thanks for dragging me in with you that day.
Rev.
Lonnie R. Mitchell: Pastor
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