Santa delivers holiday joy around town

by Dan Holland

The Santa Delivery Service – a program begun by the Kiwanis Club of Brecksville in the early 1980s – hosted its annual program Dec. 15. 

Six Santas in sleighs mounted atop flatbed trailers left from the Brecksville Human Services Department at 1 p.m. to make their rounds to more than 300 homes around the city.

“We deliver to some families who received the service when they were little, and now they do it for their kids and grandkids,” explained Kiwanis Club of Brecksville President Kevin Brusk. “One of our past Kiwanis members, who played Santa for many years, used to say that this day was his Christmas. It’s really special.”

“The city is gracious is to help us out with a police escort to make sure we get around safely, and we have plenty of volunteers who come and help us out, and it really means a lot,” he added. “It was starting to drop off a little just prior to COVID, and the year COVID hit, we had to change how we did things a little bit. We used to collect gifts and then hand them back out, but now, we just give out goody bags, and that has worked out really well.”

Families are required to register online ahead of time for the program and include their address and their kids’ names and ages, explained Denise Gawlik of Kiwanis Club of Brecksville. “There are different treat bags for children ages 3 and under, and then a different one for ages 5-7 and so forth,” she explained. “We call the families 10 minutes beforehand and ask them to be outside, which makes it go much faster.” 

Councilperson Brian Stucky portrayed one of the Santas for a second consecutive year.

“[Mayor] Daryl Kingston had done this before, and he asked me last year if I would jump in, and it was a lot of fun,” said Stucky. “Just to see the absolute joy of these kids when they come out and see Santa is amazing. The best was one little girl who was standing behind her parents; then she came running out and hugged me and said, ‘I love you, Santa.’ It just warned me up inside. It was such a cherished moment.”

“It’s a special program to be able to go around and visit all of the kids who sign up,” he added. “And Kiwanis is very special group in being able to do this each year, and it’s just nice to be able to help them.”

Each entourage includes a lead car, a vehicle that tows the Santa trailer and a police escort.

Residents Bryan and Nicole Dembkowski received a Santa visit for the first time along with their sons, Carter and Garrett. “Our neighbors told us about this program, and I thought it would be a fun surprise,” said Nicole Dembkowski. “We really hadn’t had a chance before, as Carter was born in 2020, so this is his first time seeing Santa.”

“We’ve done this before, and we love it,” said Danielle Godic. “It’s so sweet, and James and Will both look forward to it, because Santa knows where they live, and it’s a lot of fun being in a real sleigh. They get personalized gifts, and Santa knows their names before they even go up to the sleigh.”

Tom and Katelyn Heun had Santa stop and visit for a third year in a row with their children, Madeline and William. “I grew up in Brecksville, and I love the community here, and it makes such a difference to have a surprise that brings the Christmas magic right to our front door,” said Tom Heun.  “By continuing the tradition of the Kiwanis Santa Delivery, we foster a sense of community and togetherness in Brecksville, bringing local volunteers and families together to share in the joy of giving,” said Mayor Daryl Kingston. “Each year, Santa and his elves deliver more than just treats; they create lasting memories that nurture kindness, generosity, and the magic of the holiday season that unites us all in the spirit of giving.”

photo caption: The Saliba family, which includes parents Kevin and Danielle, along with their children, Haya, Luka and Karmina, receive a special visit from Santa himself prior to the holiday. Photo by Dan Holland.