Part-time Santa has full-time rewards

By Jackie Rybeck

Freelance Writer/Photographer

When David Saphier was asked to put on a bright red suit at a hospital Christmas party, he had no idea that 28 years later he would still be playing the role of Kris Kringle.

“I didn’t even have a beard back then!” Saphier laughed. “But I absolutely loved it and I’ve been Santa ever since.”

Saphier lives in Mexico and is quite a hit with the children in the area.

“I’ve helped out the volunteer firemen of both Mexico and Rumford,” he said. “Riding in parades and going to schools. And I’ve been Santa at a Ronald McDonald House, passing out presents to sick or terminally ill children.

“One time I even went to a home,” he added. “The dad had been a soldier and lost his life. It was heartwarming to take his kids gifts and put a bit of a smile on their faces.”

Earning his living as a physician’s assistant, Saphier got the chance to work at a Shrine Clinic, where children receive medical evaluations and referrals to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.

“Years ago I had worked in pediatrics and I loved being with the kids,” he said. “And my neighbor, who is a Shriner with Kora Shrine, happened to be at the clinic. I asked him a lot of questions and that night he came to my house with an application to become a Shriner.

“I knew it was something I had to do,” he said. “I wanted to become a part of an organization that helped children.”

That was 14 years ago and now, Saphier is in charge of the Medical Unit at Kora, giving medical support at all of the Kora Shrine events.

“And you’ll never guess what they asked me to do,” he chuckled. “Be a Santa at the FEZtival of Trees. What an honor that was.”

This Kris Kringle believes that life just couldn’t get any better, being a Santa for this nonprofit fraternal organization.

“This is the greatest place to be,” he beamed. “Especially at Christmas, it is such a winter wonderland here.

“I’m just ecstatic,” he added. “It’s just priceless to see the excited children with their smiling faces.”

Most requests at the FEZtival of Trees are for dolls, trucks and that particular years’ fad toy, but some have been just a bit unusual.

“One of the funniest was when a little boy sat on my lap,” he grinned. “He requested a pair of pink panties for his mom. She quickly and quietly came and took his hand and swiftly disappeared in the crowd.”

Many requests are heartwarming.

“One child told me the only gift he wanted was to have his dad home from the army. Those are the tough ones but it goes with the territory.

“Another Santa that day was quite emotional,” he added. “He told me that a small child sat on his lap and said that she didn’t want anything, that the Shriners had already given her a leg. How satisfying is that?”

Children even recognize this Santa off season.

“I see kids all the time point at me and tug at their parents,” he explained. “Sometimes they will want to sit on my lap. But if they just stare, I give them a Ho, ho, ho and watch their eyes pop.”

And what does this Santa get in return?

“Being a Santa for Kora Shrine, working hard for such a great cause is one of the most rewarding things I could do. I get to help Kora, help kids and have fun all at the same time.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” he said. “It’s not a job, it’s a calling.”

And one more note: Saphier is Jewish.

“It’s quite an advantage!” he laughed. “I’m always available at Christmas.”

“Ho, ho, ho and Shalom!”

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