Santa Claus has posted a message of comfort and reassurance on his website and YouTube. The Alaskan politician and clergyman who lives in North Pole, Alaska wants to help kids with the stress of big national events they might find unsettling.
“Hello children, this is Santa Claus in North Pole, Alaska, With all that is going on in our country, I’m sure there are times when you might feel afraid or upset. Well, I promise you, that I and many others want you to know, that we love you.”
The message is about two minutes long, and is written for children, but is direct.
“If you happen to see children or adults crying it may be because they are upset. Perhaps they have lost a relative, or friend, or job. And your hug, or a kind word, or just a smile would help them, especially if they’re a little different from you.”
This Santa Claus, you might know, is on the city council of North Pole, Alaska. And Santa Claus has been his real name since 2005. But he has been an advocate for children’s safety for a long time before that. In an interview Friday, he remembered national unrest from the 1960s.
“There was national unrest when I was a child. I could sympathize and empathise with what they’re going through – different set of circumstances, but the same underlying stress.”
He said kids are watching adults deal with the pandemic and anti-racism demonstrations, and they feel “boxed in,” while he would like kids to feel empowered and safe.
“We are handing them a tough hand, taking away their clean environment, taking away their education, taking away all sorts of stuff and setting them up with big bills for their future.”
In his video message, Santa Claus tells kids they might be seeing people wear masks now to keep each other healthy, but that they hide smiles, so a kind word might work instead.
“You are a gift, you wonderful just the way you are. Please look for the best in everyone, and share your love. Our country needs that now.”
His video message is on his website: Santa.IM. Or you can find it on YouTube if you search for “Santa Comforts Children 2020.”