Santa Claus is coming to town!
Returning for the 94th year, Santa Claus will make an appearance at local Coronado homes on the night of Christmas Eve – courtesy of the Coronado Rotary.
This long-honored tradition is an effort by Rotary members, who, for almost a century, have been delivering presents to Coronado families the night before Christmas.
To make gift delivery possible, it has taken the dedicated help of Chase Bank and the Coronado Fire Department, co-chair Bob Syverson said.
Gift drop off at Chase Bank
For anyone who wants to participate, the Rotary asks parents, grandparents or guardians to drop off their presents to Chase Bank, 1000 Orange Ave. from 12 to 5 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Dec. 19 through Friday, Dec. 22.
The presents must be gift wrapped, have the child’s first name, phone number and address clearly marked on the outside.
Syverson is a co-chair of the Santa Committee with his wife Debby and Tim Hodges. He said he has accumulated 15 years of involvement with the Santa program, both as a chair and as a Santa.
Dressed in a state-of-the art Santa suit, Syverson has personally delivered gifts to people ranging from 9 months old to 90.
“It’s one of the most feel-good events we do because you’re actually getting a chance to visit with the person who’s getting the benefit of your goodwill,” Syverson said.
Delivery around town
And he’s not the only one.
Each year, 10 to 15 Santas take off around town with their Rotary elves to deliver anywhere from 150 to 400 gifts to Coronado residents and those in Naval housing.
Syverson said many Rotary Club members have been participating for 10 to 15 years, and just last year, Wayne Strickland, a former Coronado Fire Department captain, retired from being Santa after a 20-year stretch.
The Rotary elves will log all of the presents to make sure no one is left out on Christmas Eve, and families can expect a visit from Santa Claus from 5 to 7 p.m. on the 24th.
