Post spreads Christmas cheer: Santa role playing is a way of life for this New York Post

In the past nine years, under-privileged children in the New York towns of Ancramdale and Copake have been witness to the joy of Santa Claus. Post 7955 in Copake (located in the lower Hudson River Valley) adopts five to 10 families each year, making what could be a bleak Christmas, a happy one.

According to program chairman and Post Santa Arnold Anderson, Sr., all contributions come from fund-raisers as well as donations of new clothing and toys. He noted one area woman who yearly provides every child in the program with a gift.

"We give each adopted family a complete (uncooked) Christmas dinner first," he said. "Then we bring in the gifts, which are all nicely wrapped."

The gifts are tagged with each child's name and Anderson is sure to know the names of the children he is delivering to before he walks in with his surprise. His wife and daughter also get in on the delivery, acting as Mrs. Claus and an elf.

Visits are always made on Christmas Eve, and on more than one occasion, the Andersons haven't gotten home until 3 a.m.

"My family understands the importance of this program," Anderson said. "We bring Christmas to children who are told `Santa won't be coming this year.'"

Last year the Post adopted five families with 15 children total. In the past, they have had as many as 10 families and 36 children. The county social services department provides Anderson with the names of families who could use a little help. The names are kept private and so is the Post's good deed. No one ever knows who's behind the Santa suit and for Anderson, that's just fine.

"Our Post does this not to get recognition, but to truly help those in need during a joyous time of year," he said.