The true meaning
of Christmas can be
found in the heart of
Sgt. Santa.
He is the closest thing to a real Santa you will ever meet – snowy-white hair and beard with rosy cheeks. This retired police sergeant and Santa look-alike spreads joy to all who meet him.
His name is Ricky Duling – but Richmonder’s know him
better as “Sgt. Santa!” On Christmas Eve he personally
delivers tens of thousands of gifts to less fortunate families
– for some it is the only sign of Christmas they will receive.
But it doesn’t end on Christmas Eve. Wherever there is
a need, Sgt. Santa is available to help. He maintains two
warehouses chock-full of everything conceivable. All of the
items are donated – and the recipients are never charged for
the assistance. Sgt. Santa has no paid employees – everything is done strictly on a volunteer basis.
For over 20 years, Virginia Show Productions has donated a portion of the show proceeds to Sgt. Santa and has worked non-stop to promote awareness of his wonderful work.
Says Sgt. Santa, “I tell everyone that the good Lord made me look like this, so this must have been what he wanted me to do. Not a day in my life goes by that I don’t make a lot of people happy.”
Sgt. Santa has been featured in such national publications as Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Christmas in America, and Better Homes & Gardens hard-cover book entitled The Santa Claus Collection.