Santa Claus exists.

"When people ask me if I ‘do' Santa, I tell them, ‘No, I am Santa,'" said Ron Kearns.

He certainly looks the part.

The minister of the New Hope Community Church and a former chaplain to the Steilacoom Department of Public Safety, Kearns' white hair and beard, ample girth, twinkling blue eyes and hearty laugh personify the character of Santa.

A paratrooper who served with the 82nd Airborne Division between 1962 and 1965, Kearns laughingly refers to his size as his "reserve chute." In fact, his physique led to his becoming Santa Claus. Kearns' transformation into the mystical yet real figure started seven years ago when his colleagues on the Steilacoom police force volunteered him for an event to bring the joy of Christmas to some children.

"Whatever I do, I work to do it right," said Kearns. "Also, there went my short hair and clean shaven face," he added as he stroked his beard.

In short order, he became a member of Santa-America.

A nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c) 3 national volunteer service organization that was founded in 2003, Santa-America brings unconditional love, hope and joy to special children and their families in hospice, bereavement, chronic pediatric care, or post-traumatic stress. The organization provides free Santa Claus visits to those in need every day of the year.

"It is an attempt to keep the joy of Christmas year-round," explained Kearns.

The organization has over 100 authentically costumed, background checked and highly trained Santas who are sensitive to the needs of those in need.

"I would never do anything to hurt the trust and the mystical spirit of Santa," said Kearns.

In becoming Santa Claus, Kearns also has an opportunity to witness his Christian faith.

"Santa Claus has gotten me into more places than Pastor Ron could ever have gotten to," he said.

He stresses that he sees no contradiction in being a man of the cloth and Santa. He cites the 4th century work of Nicholas of Petra, a wealthy man who later gave away his wealth to help poor women and children. The Roman Catholic Church later made Nicholas a saint.  In time, the spirit of his giving became part of the European and American creation of Santa Claus. St. Nicholas and Santa Claus are one and the same.

"In the eyes of children we find the joy of Christmas; in their hearts we find its meaning," quoted Kearns.

To illustrate his point, Kearns told the following story.

As a little girl lay dying in a critical care unit, a Santa stopped by to see her. 

The child stirred slightly and opened her eyes.

Santa said, "Merry Christmas!"

The child quickly drifted back off to sleep. Santa pulled off a glove and left it on her pillow.

When the little girl awoke in the morning, she saw the glove and knew Santa had in fact been there.

"It was a spark of hope, of faith," Kearns said quietly. "I always carry extra gloves with me."

For those interested in becoming Santa, visit www.santa-america.org or contact Kearns at (253) 584-6194.