“Christmas is about connection, not gifts, but presence, as in time,” said Buddy the elf.
It happened that Casey Vandogen, needed help with transportation, getting around to a number of venues as Santa Claus. Vandogen turned to his son Neil who was available to drive as he was in a recovery program at the time.
Neil said he decided he needed to drive his father where he needed to go as Santa, but felt he should be in costume. And so ‘Buddy the elf’ came into being.
Families all have rough patches, explained Neil, but he now had an opportunity to step up and put on the “big boy tights,” he said. Neil began to see another side of his father; a kinder, softer, compassionate side. And as ‘Buddy the elf’ he found that helping others helped him in his recovery.
So Neil joined his father, who portrayed Santa, as Buddy, where visiting the nursing homes became more than just a photo with Santa. As Neil revealed, “The clients would have fun, be a bit goofy, climb onto Santa’s lap.
“They made a physical connection.”
He recalled a visit to a nursing home where Buddy had been alerted to a particular client who was difficult and unfriendly. Buddy approached the man, suggesting perhaps he’d like a photo with Santa? He received an angry “No” as an answer.
“I thought perhaps he’d like a candy cane? He just swore at me. One more try, I thought; would he like a hug?” After a pause, the man said; “I would love a hug,” so Buddy gave him that hug.
From then on, Buddy the elf always asked if a person wanted a hug.
Santa and Buddy became so busy that his sister joined them as Ginger the elf.
Then the extended family got involved. Neil recalled that as the family joined Santa and Buddy, the family themselves became more united.
Santa and his elves were becoming busier. Sometimes family members were unable to join Santa on his visits, but Santa had welcome assistance from others who volunteered to be elves during Santa’s visits. People were glad to help and make a ‘connection” with others.
Neil shared that, if Santa and Buddy arrived at lunch time, if the staff at the care home were okay with Santa joining the residence for lunch; then Santa and Buddy would do exactly that.
Photos were always a part of their visits and Neil described how, when necessary, they would crawl into bed with the person for a photo. “It’s the connection that brings joy.”
COVID made visits with Santa a bit tricky. Still, Santa and his team found a way. “We set up a ‘Live from the North Pole’ Zoom station,” said Casey. “Both kids and seniors visited on Zoom. It was not ideal , but given the circumstances, the best option.”
When the 2141 Spirit Of Kamloops train engine needed a Santa, Vandogen was quick to agree. “I was asked by a member of the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society to be Santa for their food bank donation drive for Christmas. It turned out to be a very fulfilling event.”
Santa, positioned in front of the 14 foot high, 188,000 lb. engine; listened to the children, handed out candy canes and finger puppets crocheted by Mrs. Claus (Vandogen’ wife, Marilyn,).
“Last year myself and our team were involved in both Kamloops Blazers and Kamloops Storm Teddy Bear Toss and raised money for Alzheimers,” said Vandogen. “We have also done fundraisers for the Food Bank, David Thompson PAC, and are open to whatever sounds like fun and is a worthy cause. I have done a few corporate functions and other events where we ask for a donation to a charitable cause, usually Alzheimers because it is what affected Mrs. Claus.”
“Being Santa has been a great experience. Just to see the smiles and joy seniors experience, being kids again. It is just amazing!”
Vandogen gave a shout out to Charlene Sawers of Anderson Sewing for being the person behind nearly all their team outfits, as well as their granddaughter Blair, who is one of the up-and-coming elves.