Community Corner
Hey Y'all from Santa Claus
Our Marlene caught up with Santa, who sometimes goes by the name of Rick Hyman, for a quick story before the big day.
Do you know where Santa spends his summers? Right here in Snellville. You might see him in his red truck around town and he might introduce himself as Rick Hyman, but he really is Santa Claus.
Before retiring in 2003, Santa Rick worked for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in aviation security. Rather fitting, since he had acquired all that knowledge through having to negotiate flight plans via a reindeer-driven sleigh.
Every Christmas, though, he donned his red suit and went to work. While employed with the FAA, he worked initially in Atlanta but then went overseas assigned to the United States embassy in Brussels, Belgium, and then to the Pacific at the embassy in Manila, Philippines.
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Throughout these assignments he continued his work appearing as Santa, now approaching his 42nd year.
Santa Rick has sat upon his magic throne to talk to children in Belgium, Germany, France, and numerous other places in Europe, as well as in the Philippines. He visited orphanages, hospitals, day care centers, senior centers, as well as appearances as Santa for the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign.
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While in the Philippines, santa Rick made appearances at children’s wards for Operation Smile bringing them love from the big, jolly ol' elf and gifts. (Operation Smile is a charity organization that treats facial deformities, such as cleft palates, for children in need across the globe.)
Around here, Santa Rick arrives at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville, dressed in his finery on the first Saturday of November each year. He'll be there until December 24, Christmas Eve. Last year, 20 THOUSAND 899 children sat upon his knee. That’s right — 20,899 children.
Here's some of Santa's tips for all the children preparing their Wish List.
- Gather all the store catalogs
- Cut out pictures of the things you really want for Christmas
- Paste the pictures on a sheet of paper
- Choose your top two items on your list. It might be helpful to sit down with Mom and Dad and show them your picture list, now.
- Circle your top two items
- Give the list to Mom or Dad to mail to Santa.
- Santa is always glad for you to bring a list to him, but show it to your parents first.
Merry Christmas, Y’all
