BY JENN SAMSEL
Special to the Monitor
You had better watch out; you had better not cry; Santa Claus is coming to town.
That’s right, Santa Claus is making his way to Keystone Heights and the surrounding areas soon.
While Mr. Claus was checking his list and speaking to his elves, Mrs. Claus spoke with me about their organization, travel plans, and photo opportunities.
According to Claus Ministries, its mission started in 2017. Since then, the ministry has visited over 2,000 kids in more than 30 locations and sent over 1,000 letters.
Santa said, “God gave me a mission after my first trip to the children at Keystone Heights Elementary. I visited many children who wanted the Xbox, PlayStation, the newest tennis shoes, doll babies, and smartphones, but I will never forget that day when one child asked me for something completely different. The child said, ‘Could you bring some food for the table?’ which threw me off my sleigh.”
From that day forward, Claus started Claus Ministries, which assists children and families and brings them the Joy of Christmas.
He said, “To give that joy would take more than me; instead, it would take the help of a community, and we are blessed to have that community.”
Mrs. Claus said, “In 2022, we surpassed our goal of serving ten families, 45 children, and family members while serving 15 families and 53 children and family members.”
The big man in red’s partner added that the effort was accomplished with the help of the Community Church of Keystone Heights, local area businesses, Lake Region Kiwanis, and many different individuals.
“We have provided food, clothes, toys for the children, and a Bible to each family, and we respond to every letter sent through Santa Claus mailboxes when there is a readable return address,” she said.
“All the money collected, 100% of the proceeds for the Claus Ministries from the donations our business and private event visits go back to the community to assist with purchasing food, clothes, and gifts, she added. “We are happy to continue the tradition of assisting children and families in need, especially in these hard economic times, but we couldn’t have done it without the help of our community and donations. Florida was struck hard this year by the hurricanes, and we want to keep positively impacting the community.”
Where will Santa Claus be?
—Saturday, November 30, Lady Bug in Palatka 12–3 pm
City of Keystone Heights Tree Lighting – 6 pm
—Saturday, December 7, Hitchcock’s – Keystone Heights, 1–3 pm
—Saturday, December 14
Ace Hardware – Keystone Heights – 9–11 am
Keystone Heights Parade / After Glow – 6 – 8 pm
—Monday, December 16
Johnny’s BBQ – 6 – 8 pm
—Friday, December 16
Abandoned Treasures 1 – 4 pm —Saturday, December 21
Clyde’s Cozy Cafe – 9 – 11 am
Hitchcock’s – Hawthorne – 1 –3 pm
—Monday, December 23,
Hatch Realty Services – 5 – 7:30 pm
These events are Claus’s schedule and are open to the public.
Are children looking to write to Santa? The Santa mailbox will be parked in front of Hatch Realty Services, 350 S. Lawrence Blvd in Keystone Heights
Please be sure to write to him. Lake Region Kiwanis has teamed up with the Claus Mission to help the community.
“Without their support and help, we couldn’t do it independently,” said Mrs. Claus.
Lake Region Kiwanis is in charge of the Christmas parade each year, and this year’s parade will be held on December 14 at 6 pm in downtown Keystone Heights.
This year’s theme is “Christmas cheer throughout the years.”
Santa will meet and greet children and their families right after the parade.
This year, he will be at the pavilion. So, stop by the afterglow and grab hot cocoa.
Anyone looking to register for the parade, assist, or donate can contact Hatch Realty Services for more information.
