SIDEWALK SANTAS SET TO HIT THE STREETS
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 5:18 pm
Sidewalk Santas Set to Hit the Streets
By David Martin
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York's sidewalk Santas might prove to be a perkier lot this season as the jolly bell-ringing volunteers will mainly come from Starbucks.
The arrangement with the coffee-shop chain marks a departure in the 101st year of the Sidewalk Santa program run by Volunteers of America, who in the past used clients from its rehabilitation programs to do the fund-raising job.
Organizers explained they sometimes had security issues with their rehab clients and believed their time would be better spent looking for work.
So a whole new New York crew found themselves in training on Thursday.
"I'm not taking this hat off my head until New Year's Day," said recruit Josh Jennison. "I don't get to wear a Santa Claus suit too often. I'm a little nervous about angry cab drivers, pushy New Yorkers, but not about being Santa Claus."
During training, the new Santas were told they were not really Santa, just Santa's helpers, which is why they wear a white belt and not Santa's traditional black belt.
They were told how to wear a Santa suit, advised against drinking too much coffee before their shift and told to keep mints close by.
A list of answers to questions children often ask was also provided.
When a child asks for a toy, they should say, "I'll put in a good word for you with the big guy at the North Pole," and when asked where the reindeer are, the answer is, "They are up with Santa getting ready for Christmas."
New York's Santas were given some dos and don'ts.
They were warned not to pick up any children, unless their parents say it's OK, and advised to keep anti-bacterial hand lotion close by and tell kids to talk to their parents if they ask for a new baby brother or sister.
They were also told that Santas don't smoke.
The Santas, standing next to their familiar brick chimneys, will be out in force around Rockefeller Center and in front of major department stores starting the day after Thanksgiving.
Last year the street corner Santas raised $50,000 for food programs administered by Volunteers of America
By David Martin
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York's sidewalk Santas might prove to be a perkier lot this season as the jolly bell-ringing volunteers will mainly come from Starbucks.
The arrangement with the coffee-shop chain marks a departure in the 101st year of the Sidewalk Santa program run by Volunteers of America, who in the past used clients from its rehabilitation programs to do the fund-raising job.
Organizers explained they sometimes had security issues with their rehab clients and believed their time would be better spent looking for work.
So a whole new New York crew found themselves in training on Thursday.
"I'm not taking this hat off my head until New Year's Day," said recruit Josh Jennison. "I don't get to wear a Santa Claus suit too often. I'm a little nervous about angry cab drivers, pushy New Yorkers, but not about being Santa Claus."
During training, the new Santas were told they were not really Santa, just Santa's helpers, which is why they wear a white belt and not Santa's traditional black belt.
They were told how to wear a Santa suit, advised against drinking too much coffee before their shift and told to keep mints close by.
A list of answers to questions children often ask was also provided.
When a child asks for a toy, they should say, "I'll put in a good word for you with the big guy at the North Pole," and when asked where the reindeer are, the answer is, "They are up with Santa getting ready for Christmas."
New York's Santas were given some dos and don'ts.
They were warned not to pick up any children, unless their parents say it's OK, and advised to keep anti-bacterial hand lotion close by and tell kids to talk to their parents if they ask for a new baby brother or sister.
They were also told that Santas don't smoke.
The Santas, standing next to their familiar brick chimneys, will be out in force around Rockefeller Center and in front of major department stores starting the day after Thanksgiving.
Last year the street corner Santas raised $50,000 for food programs administered by Volunteers of America
