Do you believe in Santa Claus?
For many in Harlan County the answer would be yes. If Santas Job description is to make children happy, then Harlan Countys own Santa, Mike Howard must be the real deal. Like the real Santa he's only seen in the red suit a few weeks out of the year, but he works for the entire year to prepare for this special time. If you are wishing to help any family in need and are hesitant about where to donate gifts and money, this should be your charity of choice. If you make donations to this ministry you can be sure of one thing it will certainly make its way into the hands of a needy child. His record speaks for itself. Mike Howard has been delivering each year since 1975.
Over the years Mike has picked up volunteers wishing to help in the cause. These volunteers help him to collect and wrap each individual gift. In addition to the gifts Mike told the Harlan Daily Enterprise that he bags more than 3,500 bags of treats with about 30 items in each bag. He also told them of how touched he is by the reactions of some of these children. Grab a tissue and read the article here!
There are no government benefits or grants that support this ministry. It is supported completely on kindness and generocity of others as well as hard work and year round dedication of Mike and his many volunteers.
Many in and around the county know Mike only as The Santa Claus not knowing his real name. This is another testament to the impact that he makes to many lives each year. Read about the Mountain Santa here.
So this Christmas as we open our gifts and get caught up in the frenzy of flying paper lets try to remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. There are hurting, suffering and hungry in many of our own neighborhoods, we just need to look for them.
Merry Christmas and many Blessings to Mike, his team of volunteers and all of those who make this ministry possible.
I'd also like to extend a special thank you to Sharon (bitbangr) for allowing me to use her photos for this article. You can view bitbangr's photo gallery of Mike and his work here!