Santa Les Yeffa — 30 years at Christmas in the Park
Les Yeffa has been playing Santa at San Jose’s Christmas in the Park for 30 years
By Mary Gottschalk
‘All … jobs pale in comparison to the one he most enjoys and does for free–portraying Santa Claus at Christmas in the Park.
“I love the kids,” he says by way of explanation.
After a pause, he shares the story about why he’s been volunteering since 1980.
“My first time as Santa at Christmas in the Park, this lady speaking broken English brought her three little boys up.
“You could tell she didn’t have any money and she wanted her sons to visit Santa. The shopping malls charged $5 then to have your picture taken with Santa, but we’re free.
“Someone had told her about Christmas in the Park and she kept saying, ‘God bless you.’ She was so sincere and so thankful that her children could see Santa. That’s why I’ve stayed with this,” he says.’
(Photo by Rick Zerby/for SVCN/11/25/11) Santa Claus (Les Yeffa) listens to what two year-old Mary Ann Cardinale would like for Christmas during a visit to Christmas in the Park on November 25, 2011.
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Santa For Events and Santa Walter salute Santa Les Yeffa in his dedication to the families of San Jose who visit the Christmas in the Park.