Health

  • Home
  • Business
    • Internet
    • Market
    • Stock
  • Parent Category
    • Child Category 1
      • Sub Child Category 1
      • Sub Child Category 2
      • Sub Child Category 3
    • Child Category 2
    • Child Category 3
    • Child Category 4
  • Featured
  • Health
    • Childcare
    • Doctors
  • Home
  • Business
    • Internet
    • Market
    • Stock
  • Downloads
    • Dvd
    • Games
    • Software
      • Office
  • Parent Category
    • Child Category 1
      • Sub Child Category 1
      • Sub Child Category 2
      • Sub Child Category 3
    • Child Category 2
    • Child Category 3
    • Child Category 4
  • Featured
  • Health
    • Childcare
    • Doctors
  • Uncategorized

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Firefighter dresses as Santa Claus to bring joy to sick kids: ‘Something to believe in’

 December 12, 2024     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

A firefighter’s holiday side hustle has brought joy to countless kids over the years — but David Saunders, 50, says moonlighting as Santa Claus has been magical for him, too.

For Saunders, who is based in Fairfax County, Virginia, playing Santa goes beyond tradition — it’s a deeply personal mission inspired by family and fueled by a passion for spreading joy, according to SWNS. 

Saunders, a married father of five, began the holiday gig 16 years ago. At the time, his son, then 6, had an illness that brought them frequently to Children’s Hospital in Delaware.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST CHRISTMAS TREE FARM IN OREGON SELLS NEARLY 1 MILLION TREES ANNUALLY

"Every time we went, he would see all the really sick children," he told SWNS. 

"He would leave and always say to me, ‘Man, I wish we could do something nice for all these kids.’ And I would say, ‘Well, you figure out what you want to do, and we’ll try to do it.’"

That wish turned into an unexpected calling for the father-son duo, who began dressing as Santa and his elf to cheer up the young patients.

These days, Saunders does about 100 to 150 home visits each year. He has also done some commercials and ads and a couple of Christmas movies.

AIRPORT SECURITY COULD STOP YOU IF TRAVELING WITH WRAPPED CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. HERE'S WHY

"Honestly, I just like making people happy. I enjoy making people smile," he told SWNS.

Saunders has seen some children each year since they were infants.

"I’ve enjoyed being able to watch them grow up," he said. "You hold them as a baby, and then you watch them grow."

"Sometimes you think they won’t want you to come back this year, but their moms or dads always call and say, ‘No, they don’t want to go through Christmas without you.'"

Although the Santa role is generally a joyful one, Saunders acknowledged that it has its challenges. 

"I do see some really sick children or children who just don’t really have much of anything," he said.

"It’s hard to see their situations because you just want to be able to do something for them," he went on.

"Sometimes it’s taxing on you, sometimes mentally draining."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

But he wouldn't change a thing, he said — and after 30 years as a firefighter, he is now looking to turn his side hustle into a full-time gig.

"Being a firefighter has been a great job. Again, it’s one of those things that’s mentally and physically taxing, but I’ve had a good career," he told SWNS. 

"My body hurts, and I’m getting older, so it’s time to move on. I’m hoping this business can grow a little bit more."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

The magic of Christmas is what continues to inspire Saunders to bring joy to children and adults alike.

"I think all children, even adults, want something to believe in, especially at Christmas."



from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/KkmGFVB
  • Share This:  
  •  Facebook
  •  Twitter
  •  Google+
  •  Stumble
  •  Digg
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to Facebook

Related Posts:

  • Post-COVID, many parents are giving kids fever-reducing medicine when it's not necessary: studyParents might want to think twice before reaching for aspirin or ibuprofen to bring down a child’s fever. One in three parents give their kids fever-r… Read More
  • Most US states failing to protect schools' water from lead contaminants, study findsCould drinking from the school’s water fountain put your child’s health at risk?  The odds are higher than parents might think, according to a ne… Read More
  • Laxatives taken on consistent basis could increase dementia risk, new study findsOlder adults who take laxatives on a regular basis could face a 51% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who do not use them, a new st… Read More
  • Ozempic is a ‘Band-Aid’ on the root of childhood obesity: toxic food, former pharma consultant saysA former Coca-Cola and pharmaceutical consultant said the push to put kids on weight-loss drugs ignores what he calls the root issue behind … Read More
  • Pancreatic cancer rates are rising faster among women than men: new studyPancreatic cancer rates are rising faster among women than men, according to a new study by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Cancer in Los Angeles, Calif… Read More
Newer Post Older Post Home

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

  • Ozempic ‘microdosing’ is the new weight-loss trend: Should you try it?
    A new trend gaining popularity among people trying to lose weight is microdosing the diabetes medication Ozempic. With approximately 70% of...
  • Helping Stroke Patients Regain Movement in their Hands
    By BY PAM BELLUCK from NYT Health https://ift.tt/6uNPHMD
  • As eating disorders increase among college students, here's how parents can help: ‘Early intervention is key’
    While most of us have heard about the "Freshman 15" — the stereotypical first-year weight gain among college students — a growing ...

Recent Posts

Categories

  • Health News Today on Fox News
  • FOX NEWS
  • Fox News : Health
  • Health
  • Health News Today on Fox News
  • Healthy tips
  • NYT

Unordered List

Pages

  • Home

Text Widget

Blog Archive

  • June 2025 (3)
  • May 2025 (88)
  • April 2025 (84)
  • March 2025 (88)
  • February 2025 (70)
  • January 2025 (72)
  • December 2024 (81)
  • November 2024 (70)
  • October 2024 (82)
  • September 2024 (75)
  • August 2024 (82)
  • July 2024 (79)
  • June 2024 (74)
  • May 2024 (73)
  • April 2024 (78)
  • March 2024 (75)
  • February 2024 (78)
  • January 2024 (78)
  • December 2023 (60)
  • November 2023 (80)
  • October 2023 (74)
  • September 2023 (75)
  • August 2023 (85)
  • July 2023 (67)
  • June 2023 (58)
  • May 2023 (100)
  • April 2023 (105)
  • March 2023 (118)
  • February 2023 (84)
  • January 2023 (87)
  • December 2022 (69)
  • November 2022 (64)
  • October 2022 (78)
  • September 2022 (74)
  • August 2022 (110)
  • July 2022 (109)
  • June 2022 (127)
  • May 2022 (95)
  • April 2022 (109)
  • March 2022 (140)
  • February 2022 (138)
  • January 2022 (170)
  • December 2021 (182)
  • November 2021 (213)
  • October 2021 (506)
  • September 2021 (539)
  • August 2021 (564)
  • July 2021 (590)
  • June 2021 (556)
  • May 2021 (544)
  • April 2021 (310)
  • March 2021 (331)
  • February 2021 (301)
  • January 2021 (326)
  • December 2020 (521)
  • November 2020 (403)
  • October 2020 (537)
  • September 2020 (554)
  • August 2020 (431)
  • July 2020 (647)
  • June 2020 (610)
  • May 2020 (659)
  • April 2020 (681)
  • March 2020 (729)
  • February 2020 (564)
  • January 2020 (483)
  • December 2019 (396)
  • November 2019 (416)
  • October 2019 (526)
  • September 2019 (486)
  • August 2019 (441)
  • July 2019 (394)
  • June 2019 (381)
  • May 2019 (510)
  • April 2019 (471)
  • March 2019 (560)
  • February 2019 (403)
  • January 2019 (530)
  • December 2018 (382)
  • November 2018 (378)
  • October 2018 (510)
  • September 2018 (297)
Powered by Blogger.

Report Abuse

Formulir Kontak



Search This Blog

Find Us On Facebook

Labels

  • Health News Today on Fox News
  • FOX NEWS
  • Fox News : Health
  • Health
  • Health News Today on Fox News
  • Healthy tips
  • NYT

Flickr Images

Most Popular

  • Ozempic ‘microdosing’ is the new weight-loss trend: Should you try it?
    A new trend gaining popularity among people trying to lose weight is microdosing the diabetes medication Ozempic. With approximately 70% of...
  • Helping Stroke Patients Regain Movement in their Hands
    By BY PAM BELLUCK from NYT Health https://ift.tt/6uNPHMD
  • As eating disorders increase among college students, here's how parents can help: ‘Early intervention is key’
    While most of us have heard about the "Freshman 15" — the stereotypical first-year weight gain among college students — a growing ...
  • Pioneer of America's global HIV/AIDS program recalls hope after years of despair
    Through his office window at what was then one of Africa's few modern clinics dealing with HIV and AIDS , the man who now oversees the U...
  • Free COVID tests will again be available from US government starting next week
    The U.S. government is reactivating the program that mails free COVID-19 tests to Americans' homes upon request. Effective Sept. 25, h...
  • New COVID vaccine push is ‘anti-human,’ says Florida surgeon general: ‘Major safety concern’
    The new COVID-19 vaccine is now available at participating pharmacies and health care providers, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ...
  • AI tech aims to help patients catch disease early even reverse their biological age
    In humanity's quest to live longer, healthier lives, technology — particularly artificial intelligence — is playing an ever-bigger role...
  • US scores D+ for preterm birth rates, says new report: ‘Falling further behind’
    The rate of preterm births remains alarmingly high in the U.S., according to the latest March of Dimes Report Card. The figure was around ...
  • FOX NEWS: Vermont fertility doctor accused of using his own sperm to inseminate woman 41 years ago: lawsuit
    Vermont fertility doctor accused of using his own sperm to inseminate woman 41 years ago: lawsuit A child conceived in 1977 through art...
  • Carbon monoxide deaths are climbing, putting families in peril: ‘My son is lucky to be alive’
    Often dubbed "the silent killer," carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless — it’s been shown to cause severe injury or death in h...

Sample Text

Copyright © 2025 Health | Powered by Blogger
Design by Hardeep Asrani | Blogger Theme by NewBloggerThemes.com | Distributed By Gooyaabi Templates