(Lander, WY) – County 10 got an exclusive interview with the Man in Red himself this year, who recently stopped by the Wyoming Life Resource Center (WLRC) in Lander to spread some Christmas cheer, along with his furry elves Rylee and Aggie.
Santa said that he was able to battle the Wyoming wind on his way from the North Pole, and make an extra special stop at the WLRC.
“This will be my third year visiting the Wyoming Life Resource Center,” Santa told County 10. “I was invited by a former director here, and I thought it might be a good idea to bring a little more Christmas joy to the residents — and to the staff. While I’m here, I always make sure to give them just a little something to take home with them, too, to remember the holiday season.”
“We make appointments as much as we can because we want to make sure everybody has the opportunity to see Santa; it’s a little more difficult with some of our residents who are less mobile, so when the opportunity is there, those who can walk and come see me in a certain place, I make sure I’m available,” Santa explained. “And those who are bedridden or less mobile, I make sure I go right to their bedside or their room to visit with them. There are also those who are not familiar with Santa, so I want to make sure they still get the opportunity to say ‘hi.’ I get to introduce myself, explain who I am, and give them that choice.”
Santa said the reactions of residents bring him just as much joy as he delivers, with many “bursting out laughing.”
Along with the smiles and laughs, Santa said some cry “because it brings back a memory from their childhood.”
“Some who aren’t happy about life in general, feel lightened by my presence and by those memories from childhood. I see that a lot; it doesn’t just bring clients to tears, sometimes it brings staff to tears, too, and sometimes laughter as well. And of course, our staff work diligently and beyond belief to make sure every client receives Christmas, whether they believe in Santa or not.”
The WLRC also makes sure residents feel that Christmas cheer by its annual Giving Tree, with an assist from Wyoming Community Bank.
“Wyoming Community Bank allowed us to put a tree there, and all of the cards were taken,” Santa explained. “Each client gets a card with a description of who they are—not by name, but by what they like or dislike, colors, sizes, and so on. People from the community, as well as staff here, take those cards, go shopping, and we’ve been delivering gifts all day today. Santa has been extremely busy doing that.”
“Everybody has something under the tree. Honestly, I get emotional when I think about the spirit of the people here in Lander who go out of their way to make sure our clients know they care. It’s hard to show that 12 months out of the year, but for one day, this community really pours their hearts into it. They show incredible compassion and understanding for the clients and staff.”
Santa said he couldn’t do it without the help of his “faithful steeds,” Rylee and Aggie.
“They carry me everywhere I go. They provide security, laughter, and a little hijinks wherever we are. The staff love them as much as the clients do.”
Santa added that “for such a small community,” the “hearts are huge,” especially those at the WLRC staff.
“The staff here at Wyoming Life Resource Center does an amazing job 12 months out of the year — 365 days a year, 24 hours a day — whether it’s nursing, CNAs, or direct care personnel. They are here no matter what. They’re called in from home on holidays. They do an amazing job, and it’s hard sometimes to give credit where it’s due, but the reality is they do a job most people couldn’t do.”