Allen Cole’s one wish this holiday season is to spread his usual Christmas cheer.
This year, however, the Lake Worth resident and retired businessman — a.k.a. Santa Claus — won’t be as busy because of COVID-19, social distancing and restrictions on large groups. He has played Santa Claus at many family, corporate and nonprofit gatherings across Texas as well as in other states for over 30 years.
In the 1990s, Cole, 83, was declared legally blind and deaf, the result of an electrical accident on his job in the 1970s. The retiree can see outlines of faces and hear children’s wishes with the help of hearing aids. He relies on helpers to play the roles of elves and Mrs. Claus.
During his Santa career, Cole has appeared every year at Melba Bower’s Christmas party for more than 30 children with disabilities, starting with her own two children. This year, he’ll don a mask and accompany her as she adjusts her plans to make house calls bearing gifts and cookies for kids.
“He loves those kids and they love to see him,” Bower says. “He bonds with them because of his own disabilities. You can always count on him being there.”
As he prepares for a different holiday season this year, Cole shared his lessons from three decades of playing St. Nick.
How did you become Santa?
The Helping Restore Ability group in Fort Worth asked me to be Santa in 1989 after they lost their Santa. Then I kept getting asked by different groups.
Why did you become Santa?
I want to give back. That’s a real big thing for me. I was put on this world to work and do good. I love kids. It’s so amazing that kids won’t talk to you, but they’ll sit down and talk to Santa. They’ll tell Santa everything going on, whether it’s good, bad or indifferent, and they leave it up to Santa to fix things for them. That’s one of the best things in the world.
What does it take to be a Santa?
It takes heart. You’ve got to have understanding and sympathy for the kids because they trust you.
What makes your Santa special?
As far as I know, I’m the only blind Santa Claus in Texas and one of the only blind Santas in the United States. Nobody knows I’m vision-impaired because I walk in with my hand on an elf to guide me.
I can see the outline of the kids. I go by the sound of children’s voices, the stories they tell, their tone and mannerisms. I can feel their enjoyment. You learn when a child is having a problem, their sincerity about the questions they ask.
What are some common questions from kids?
What do you feed the reindeer to make them fly? I say, “Reindeer have to go through special training, and not all reindeer can fly.”
Do you always live at the North Pole? “No. I have to come down here and check on people.”
Is your beard really real? “You can pull it, but there’s a catch. If it comes off, you can have anything you want. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to be good for an entire year. They always take the chance.”
Is your white beard real?
Yes. I’ve had a white beard since the ’70s. My hair went white in the ’80s.
Do you get paid to be Santa?
I mostly volunteer, but I also accept paid work. I earn $200 an hour. After I pay people to help me get ready (fix my beard, help me dress and drive me), buy uniforms for an elf or Mrs. Claus and donate $25, I usually end up with about $25.
What are your Santa plans this year?
I had four clients, but that’s down to two private family gatherings. Some clients backed out because their group grew too large. Nonprofit groups don’t want to take the chance of spreading COVID-19. I’ll arrive at my destinations wearing a mask.
I’m taking appointments through my website, SantaConnection.net, for phone calls with Santa. It will be a little different, but next year will be better.
