In the spirit of giving and community service, Keith O’Hanlon, known for his striking resemblance to Santa Claus, has been making waves across local communities by offering his time as Santa to support food pantries and veterans. His journey into becoming Santa began in 2015 when he was asked to play Santa Claus for a veterans’ Christmas party organized by Angela Flesland. Despite initial hesitations, Keith felt a calling, a destiny to embrace the role, especially after his first interaction with a child at the event, which left a profound impact on him.
Keith’s commitment goes beyond just appearances; he requests donations of non-perishable food items or checks written to the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Food Pantry as his appearance fee. This initiative has seen him supporting not just veterans but also local food pantries that have been under increased strain since the COVID-19 pandemic, doubling their food distribution efforts to meet the growing need within the community.
Apart from his solo efforts, Keith has enlisted the help of friends who have volunteered to become Mrs. Claus and elves, further enriching the experience for children and adults alike. These volunteers, who also invest their own resources into their costumes, assist Keith in understanding the latest toys and wishes from children, ensuring every child’s request is met with a knowing nod from Santa.
Keith’s unique approach to playing Santa extends to his mode of transportation – a 1970 M35A2 military deuce and a half truck, affectionately named Lucy Deucy, which he uses to deliver the collected food donations. This, along with his Victorian and European-inspired Santa suit, sets him apart from the traditional Coca-Cola image of Santa, aligning more closely with the historical and cultural depictions of Saint Nicholas.
Beyond his Santa duties, Keith is a retired Marine, emphasizing the lifelong commitment and service ethos of the Marines. His work as Santa is an extension of his service, offering joy, hope, and assistance to those in need during the holiday season. Keith’s story is not just about playing a role; it’s about embodying the spirit of giving and community service, making him a true embodiment of Santa Claus.
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Sue Doyle's Volunteer Projects (Aired December 21 and 22, 2019)
A Water Project for Haiti (Aired December 14 and 15, 2019)
SUNY New Paltz Tutoring Reading (Aired December 7 and 8, 2019)
Pleasant Valley Holiday Festival (Aired November 30 and December 1, 2019)
Hamburg Rotary International Convention, Part 4 (Aired November 23 and 24, 2019)
Hope on a Mission, or HOAM (Aired on November 17 and 18, 2019)
Dutchess Outreach Feeds the Needy (Aired on November 9 and 10, 2019)
Sparrow’s Nest (Aired on November 2 and 3, 2019)
Polio Survivor Swims Lake George (Aired October 19 and 20, 2019)
Hamburg Rotary International Convention, Part 3 (Aired October 26 and 27, 2019)
Hamburg Rotary International Convention, Part 2 (Aired October 12 and 13, 2019)
Italian-American Festival in Kingston (Aired On October 5 & 6, 2019)
Miles of Hope Aids Cancer Victims (Aired on September 28 and 29, 2019)
Vegetable Seed Against Hunger (Aired on September 21 and 22, 2019)
35th Annual Bike-A-Thon to Aid Library (Aired on Sept. 14 and 15, 2019)
FineHome Source Home Show (Aired on Aug 31 and Sept 1, 2019)
Lilymoore Alpaca Farm in Pleasant Valley (Aired on August 3 and 4, 2019)
Hamburg Rotary International Convention, Part 1 (Aired on August 24 and 25, 2019)
Youth Experiences Abroad: Germany (Aired on August 17 and 18, 2019)
Ribfest at Ulster Fairgrounds (Aired on August 10 and 11, 2019)
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