On job for 28 years at Kildonan Place
Porcelain pendantYou can call him Mr. Claus.
Al Young just might be the longest-serving Santa Claus in Winnipeg.
Two generations of Winnipeggers have had the opportunity to sit on the 68-year-old's knees during the 28 years he has played Santa at Kildonan Place Shopping Centre. Young went to Eaton's as a boy to get his picture taken with Santa Claus, but for five weeks each holiday season, he's the one who dons the traditional red suit.
The father of two didn't plan on becoming Santa -- the job found him.
He was simply going about his maintenance work at the mall that day in 1981 when someone was needed at the last minute to fill Santa's shoes. Next thing Young knew, he was playing Santa.
"I cookie lee Laser Pendant said, 'I've never done this before!' " he recalled.
However, the persona comes naturally.
Young's acting skills were put to the test that first day as soon as he spotted his wife, Frances, and their son, Darrell, in line for a photo. Darrell recognized his dad, exclaiming, "That Santa is my daddy!"
It was his wedding band and shoes that gave him away, Young remembers, adding Santas didn't wear white gloves back then.
Young is retired now, but doesn't plan to hang up his Santa hat soon. Why? Because he loves kids and he enjoys it. The job pays well and he lives near the mall.
embroidered patches
"They keep calling me back every year, so I must be doing something right."
Young hands out candy canes to timid boys and girls who are nervous or upset about having their Christmas pictures taken. With younger visitors, he'll ruffle their hair. He never makes promises to any of the children he meets. Instead, he kindly replies to them, "Be a good boy (or girl) and Santa will try real hard to see what he can do for you."
A little boy aged five or six left Young speechless one Christmas a few years ago. The boy told Santa his dad was dying of cancer and asked if Santa could help the man hold on until Christmas.
It's the most memorable request he's had in almost three decades of Christmas wishes. So far.
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