Christmas in Gilroy isn’t Christmas without Sue and Bob
Baker.
For over 15 years they have been bringing smiles to children of
all ages as they spread good cheer and true community spirit as
Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Christmas in Gilroy isn’t Christmas without Sue and Bob Baker.
For over 15 years they have been bringing smiles to children of all ages as they spread good cheer and true community spirit as Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Last week, Bob lifted more than 300 children onto his knee to hear their wishes at the annual San Ysidro Park Christmas event organized by Rachel Munoz, Community Service Officer in the Neighborhood Program of the Gilroy Police Department.
This is a busy time of year for them both.
Sue and Bob own B and B Heating, and between calls to fix furnaces Bob may change in and out of his Santa costume two or three times a day.
“I love it,” said Bob Baker. “I found out there wasn’t a Santa at a young age, and I like bringing smiles to the children’s faces. Santa is a friendly guy who brings joy at Christmas to everyone.
“When my wife asked me to be a Santa I agreed but I didn’t want to be a cheap one in red pajamas, I’d seen too many of those growing up. So we had a tailor make the suit that I’m still using.”
A letter to Santa that a friend at the Gilroy post office showed Sue more than 10 years ago changed her view of the Christmas spirit.
“The letter was from a little girl who asked for warm sweaters and sweats for herself and her sisters. Her dad had just been laid off. What struck me was that she had not asked for any toys,” Sue Baker said.
“I took the letter and ran with it. We filled a van with food, toys, a tree and Bob dressed up as Santa and we went over to the family’s home and gave them a good Christmas. That started the Adopt a Family Program for La Isla de Pacifica Battered Women’s Shelter.”
The Bakers also jump at the chance to bring Santa to the Live Oak Adult Daycare Program, the St. Joseph’s Family Center, and La Isla Pacifica Battered Women’s Shelter each year.
“It is our highest attendance day,” said Cheryl Hugenor, the program director at Live Oak.
Live Oak is a scheduled day program for elderly people in the community.
“It’s so nice. Bob and Sue enter jingling bells, and ‘Ho, Ho, Ho!’. Even the people who say that Santa is only for little kids line up for a turn. Bob is great with them. If someone is in a wheel chair he will sit next to them to have their picture taken.”
“I love the people at the Adult Day Care Program,” said Bob Baker. “They worry about being too heavy for my lap. And they ask for Peace on Earth, and to see their children more often.”
“Bob as Santa brings a special message, that someone cares, and that the Christmas spirit is alive,” said Hugenor. “And it’s fun. The staff waits until they end but we all get our turn with Santa, too. We wouldn’t miss it.”
” They are both so giving of their time, and it’s nice that they come as a couple, as Santa and Mrs. Claus,” said Lilieth Armenta, program manager for the St. Joseph’s Center’s homeless shelter.
The Shelter provides transitional housing for the winter months, and Christmas is a special time for their families.
“We have around 100 children at the shelter, and we want the Christmas celebration to focus on the children. They deserve it. When Bob and Sue enter the room the children’s expressions of delight say it all.”
“There are smiles on all their faces,” said Sue Baker. “They wave and say ‘Hi, Santa.’ There is a real sense of camaraderie.”
“I’m not interested in notoriety or being paid back. I like being anonymous. I often walk into people’s homes and there I am as Santa in a photo on their mantle. I do it for the children,” said Bob Baker.
“The only thing I’d wish for is a softer chair, I’ve lost some weight. My doctor is happier I’m a skinny Santa!”
Not daunted by the line stretching out the door at the San Ysidro Park event, Sue helps another child onto Santa’s lap.
“Santa’s a universal nice guy. It really doesn’t take much to be part of the solution.”
