By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — Christmas will be different in 2020, due to the coronavirus. With Santa Claus and many of his helpers being at high-risk for severe symptoms, changes are being made to keep everyone safe.
Steve Pennington, a well-known Santa stand-in, said his holiday season will be greatly impacted due to canceled festivals, corporate events, fundraisers and other Santa-related celebrations. Some malls have already canceled Santa visits this year, Pennington said.
“I had many, many, many corporate clients and they’ve just all gone away,” Pennington said. “It’s affected other people as well.”
In order to make up for lost revenue and to help children get their wish lists to Santa, Pennington and other helpers are scrambling to think of creative ways to get the job done.
“I earn one-third of my income in six weeks and then I live off of that income the entire year,” Pennington added. “For some of these guys that don’t have the resources that I have, I feel sorry for them.”
Nationally, there are several companies making it possible for children to visit Santa virtually. Jingle Ring is one of the platforms being used. Santa stand-ins can apply online. Even with a virtual option, Pennington said the experience is less than ideal.
“You don’t want your family memory to be a picture of your child with a video screen,” said Pennington. “Right now we’re all just in the ‘wait and see what happens mode.”
While Santa Claus himself will be unable to travel from the North Pole to visit children this year, his helpers are hoping to do their best to get to all children this year, either in person or online. According to the North Pole, the pandemic should not impact the delivery of gifts by Christmas morning.