Letter to the Editor

As memorable as it always is coming to Marco Island, there is always at least one event with the children of Marco that stands out.

This year, on December 13th at Manatee Elementary School, Kiwanis hosted about 700 students from Pre-K to 6th grade. Kiwanis budgeted and raised $9,000 for the children’s gifts but fell short of the $12,000 needed because of significant price increases on toys. Members answered the call and raised what was needed partially by a fundraiser at Stan’s.

The kids of course were priceless and the younger ones were in awe of seeing me and Mrs. Claus coming to them at their school. These may be the only gifts some of these children get at Christmas.

The most touching event was a Kindergartner named Leo. Leo pestered his teacher after first seeing me: “Is he real.” You can imagine Leo jumping up and down asking: “Is Santa real?”

When he got to me you could read the hope in his enthusiasm and in the bright eyes this child had as he received his gift.

He asked me: “Are you real?” I replied, “Of course I’m real.” Leo asked: “Can I pinch you”? When he pinched my hand, I said: “Ouch,” and Leo ran off jumping and shouting: “He’s real, Santa’s real” to the delight of all in the room.

Sometimes we are caught up in our own world and fail to see through others who we really are. This Santa is most fortunate of all because of childhood innocence. So genuine and realistic.

Thank you, Leo, for making Santa’s Christmas.

Love to all of Marco Island,

Santa