Joy. It’s a simple word to write, but it takes commitment to deliver, especially over the holidays. Cue the Purdue Alumni Club of Mid-Michigan, whose members are faithful volunteers at the Santa House in Midland, Michigan. Each year, they help children and their families experience the joy and magic of Christmas. Delivering delight starts the moment one enters the stone cottage, which looks straight out of the village at the North Pole. 

“The kids’ jaws drop, and their eyes get as big as saucers when they first walk into the Santa House,” says Roger Moll, a retired Purdue Extension employee who now lives in Midland and is father to three Purdue grads. Ray Senesac (S’67), president of the Mid-Michigan club, elaborates, “Santa’s elves work hard as the house is covered wall-to-wall with toys, displayed a new way each holiday season.” He points out that trains are always a crowd favorite, which all Boilermakers can appreciate. 

The Purdue volunteers don black and gold stocking caps or gold Purdue Santa hats as they greet families, take pictures, and look for ways to make the moments special for the visitors — who are sometimes lined up down the block. Every child who comes through Santa’s House gets a gift and can ride the train down several city blocks and even pet reindeer — all free of charge. 

The Santa House is a program of the Midland Area Community Foundation, which also hosts one of the world’s largest Santa schools — people come to the school from all over the world to learn how to best portray the jolly old elf. This training enables those taking on the role of Santa to learn the latest on topics such as popular toys as well as how to respond to children’s wishes that are not easily granted, such as the request for health of a parent or loved one. Santa is indeed the star of the show, yet setting him up for success is a key task taken on by the Purdue volunteers. 

Laura Dittenber, who works for the foundation and coordinates the volunteers for the Santa House, says the Boilermakers are some of her best helpers. “The Purdue club volunteers as a group, and the members are always willing to pitch in with whatever needs to happen — Santa loves them!” 

Helping Santa requires instinct and creativity. The Purdue volunteers chat with families while they are in line and find out children’s names, which they whisper to Santa to use as he greets each young visitor. Being called by name lights up the eyes of the kids — even those who may be doubting Santa’s ability. Sometimes the magic making is a little more involved, like Senesac’s favorite elf moment. 

“One year, I was approached by a young man who was visiting the house with his family,” Senesac says. “He shared that all his little sister wanted for Christmas was to see another brother who attended school in New York. I was told that the brother was en route from the airport and should arrive before the little girl reached Santa. Santa and I put our heads together and quickly figured out there was a closet where the brother could be hidden as the girl approached. The brother arrived and was discreetly escorted into his hiding place. When the sister was on Santa’s knee sharing her only Christmas wish, her brother emerged. That was a great moment as I saw this little girl overcome with joy as she hugged her brother.” 

This type of touching moment reinforces why the reputation of the Santa House stretches far and wide. Elyse Rogers (MA’73), former interim director of the Midland Area Community Foundation, recalls a visit to Florida where she mentioned being from Midland to a new acquaintance. The first thing the person said was, “You’re from Santa’s House!” Rogers, whose family includes three generations of Boilermaker alumni, points out that Midland is very community oriented, and the Purdue volunteers fit right in with being welcoming and positive. Senesac echoes that feeling about the community’s history of civic involvement and is proud the Purdue club is part of it.  

“People come from hours away knowing they will have a great experience,” Senesac says. He thinks the adults enjoy it as much as the kids, and in a world where so much interaction is experienced virtually, it is wonderful to see families engaged together in a real-life adventure. “Who doesn’t love a train ride?” this dedicated Boilermaker asks. 

There may be skeptics who don’t think Santa is real, but there is no doubt the team at Santa’s House spreads cheer and joy to children of all ages. “We help extend the belief in Santa and the good in the world while making connections with our community,” Moll says. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”