PC: Jeff McMullen
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) — It may be April, but everybody’s favorite jolly guy with the beard in the red suit is making headlines.
After 12 years of being Santa, Appleton’s Jeff McMullen is heading to Memphis, Tennessee on Friday to be officially inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.
Only 106 Santa’s in the world have the honor of being in the hall of fame.
“Wisconsin has a rich history of terrific Santa’s; and for me to be the first one [inducted into the hall of fame] from Wisconsin is just mind-boggling,” said McMullen. “When I received the message that I was accepted, it was so humbling. It was really nice validation from my peers that I’m doing the right thing, at the right time, with the right purpose, for the right people.”
Loren Jensen, a Santa from Michigan and a longtime friend of McMullen’s was the one who nominated him.
“In talking to the other hall of famers, they said ‘nobody ever makes it on their first nomination’ and I thought ‘Well, I’ll just try’ and Jeff made it on his first try, which is absolutely amazing. And he deserves it, he really does.” said Jensen.
Hall of fame candidates are selected based on things like career, originality, and community service. McMullen says one of his favorite parts about being Santa is his work with the Kindness Campaign through the Fond du Lac Salvation Army.
The Kindness Campaign runs year-round with Santa as the Kindness Coach to Fond du Lac. The campaign gives tools and ideas to Fond du Lac on how to be kind to themselves and to their community.
McMullen also runs Kringle University; teaching thousands of other Santa’s through various platforms how to find ‘their’ Santa. He takes those lessons around the world traveling to teach other Santa’s.
In 2022, McMullen created Santa’s Magical Christmas Cottage; where kids and their families have a one-on-one visit with Santa. Parents can book a time slot to visit the cottage, without having to wait in line at the mall.
“Everything in the cottage has a purpose for being there or a story,” said McMullen. ” If a little boy or girl points at a toy soldier and says ‘Santa, what is that?’ there’s a story. So the visit happens organically, rather than a ‘planned’ things, and the children lead the experience.”
But as the Christmas season ramps up, things get much busier for McMullen. In November and December, he pulls 14-16 hour days full of events including breakfast with Santa, visits in the Cottage, nighttime story time and tuck-ins, and more.
Surprisingly, he doesn’t get tired.
“I don’t ever see myself retiring. I think this is something I’m going to do until I can’t do it any longer,” said McMullen. “I really do wake up every morning feeling blessed and excited about growing as Santa, and growing in ways I can help my community.”
On Friday seven Santa’s and two Mrs. Claus’s will be inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame. For the recognition, McMullen will get a red blazer with the official Hall of Fame logo.
In the hall of fame, McMullen sits among other notable Santa’s played by Ed Asner, Mickey Rooney, and more.
Comments