Deb Lemire, UUCA Administrator

So, I was sitting in the office Friday getting stuff prepped for Worship and the congregational meeting Sunday, when the office phone rang. 

Me: UU Church of Akron, good afternoon

Grandma on phone:  I was looking for a “Santa of color” and someone told me to check with you.

I asked for some context and Grandma told me that her granddaughter’s dad won’t take her to see Santa unless he was a “Santa of color.”

Now I was caught off guard by the question, so I never did ask who suggested she call us, but it gave me an idea.  I put grandma on hold for a moment and I talked to Bev Hurd, who was there with the amazing meal volunteers, prepping the community meal for Saturday.

For the last three years at the December community meal, Samuel Prince and I would dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus and hand out goodies to those coming through the line.  So, I asked Bev if she was ok with grandma bringing her granddaughter Josephine.  “Sure, why not!”

I went back to grandma and told her that Mr. and Mrs. Claus would just happen be here the next day, and that Mr. Claus was indeed a “Santa of color.” (I did let her know that Mr. and Mrs. were a mixed-race couple, in case that was important, and it turns out, it made it more perfect.) I gave her the window of time to come during the meal and told her when they got there to find Mrs. Claus (me) and we could make sure Josephine got some time with Santa. I gave Santa, aka Samuel, a heads up.

I didn’t know if Josephine would actually show up the next day, but I was hopeful.  And sure enough, around 10:30 am, Saturday morning, Josephine and her mom showed up. (We didn’t get to meet grandma in person).   Josephine is almost four and seeing Santa in real life, up close, who knows your name! was a little overwhelming.   But she was a trooper and after a couple pics and some high fives, Santa took her aside for that all important conversation about what she wanted for Christmas.

Josephine is a sweet little girl with a head full of curls and her mom is very nice.  Dad couldn’t be there because he had to work, but we sent him, and grandma well wishes through Josephine and her mom.

Working the community meal is one of the more labor-intensive social justice outreaches we do.  It is several days of shopping and prep and cooking and then the day of, packing up the hot meals and running the pantry bags and meals out to the cars. If you have ever volunteered, you know.  And while all the volunteers that do it, do so out of love, no return necessary.  This past meal we all got something back; more than we ever expected.  We got to meet Josephine.

Josephine, whose family understood how important it was to their little one to see Santa as someone who could be part of her own family.  And while, at almost four years old, she may not completely understand that intellectually, I am confident her spirit was singing. 

We all went home smiling every time we thought about the visit with Josephine. I am so grateful we could be a part of that for her.

P.S.  What did she want for Christmas?  Banana cookies.  Santa is pretty sure we can make that happen for next year’s visit!

photos used with permission