Every Christmas, Santa visits many homes.
In the Okanagan, the white-bearded man sometimes takes special requests to visit children at their homes leading up to Christmas. There, children sit on his knee from the comfort of their homes, and tell the jolly man how the holidays are going, how they鈥檙e doing in school, and what they hope to get Christmas day.
However due to COVID-19, sitting on Santa鈥檚 knee isn鈥檛 always possible. Thanks to modern technology though, he has managed to keep in touch.
Just today, Santa spoke over video chat with 11 families across the country, including several in the 琉璃神社 area.
READ MORE: It could be a white Christmas in the Okanagan
Seeing the children鈥檚 faces light up when he arrives at their door, or in this case when he pops up on their computer screen, is Santa鈥檚 favourite part about these one-on-one visits.
He takes a lot of pride in what he does, and says every child he speaks with is special. He explained he chooses to give back because people have given him much over the years.
鈥淚t鈥檚 in the spirit of giving back鈥� letting other people be happy as well, there鈥檚 a need for that in the world,鈥� said Santa over the phone, in between virtual visits on Christmas Eve.
He has been connecting with families virtually over the Zoom app. He hopes his visits can brighten people鈥檚 spirits during a challenging time.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been special, in a different way than normal, but still special nonetheless鈥� I鈥檝e had a lot of people say they can鈥檛 wait until the pandemic鈥檚 over and Santa can come again.鈥�
Santa himself will be staying safe on Christmas day, and like many, won鈥檛 be visiting friends. He looks forward to spending time with his family.
鈥淛ust because I鈥檓 Santa, doesn鈥檛 mean I get any special favours, none at all.鈥�
To chat with Santa, contact his 琉璃神社-based communications coordinator, Ric Bach, at santaric.hohoho@gmail.com.
READ MORE: 70 new cases of COVID-19 in Interior Health
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com
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