Santa Claus visited around 100 homes throughout Carson City Tuesday night, a 25-plus year tradition thanks to the Carson City Sheriff's Office Reserve Organization.
Decked out in full Santa Claus attire, the Jolly St. Nick, at least six different versions of him, plus several helpers and assigned reserve deputies passed out candy canes and pre-arranged gifts from parents to an estimated 500 children.
One version is a real St. Nick, Nick McGahury, who has volunteered with the reservist Santa program for the sixth year and played the role of Santa at the Carson City Railroad Museum for 16 years.
"When you see their faces, you know you've helped make their Christmas special," he said. Helping McGahury were Reserve Sgt. Matt Helleckson and Steven Cornfield.
At the home of Lasca Wallace, there were 31 guests waiting for Santa with pre-arranged gifts for him to give, 11 of those guests being kids of all ages and sizes.
"We've made it a family tradition. It's something that's extra special for the kids that really puts the surprises on their faces," said Wallace.
Washoe Tribal Police Officer Jose Garcia learned about the program through dispatch and decided to sign up so that daughters Melanie, 2, and Brianna, 4, could meet the man dressed in red.
"This is great for the family. We'll sign up again next year," he said as Jessica Nunez helped the girls pass gifts from Santa to put around the tree.
The Santa Claus program is successful because the community values it and parents cherish it, said Tom Crawford, Carson City Sheriff's Office Reserve Commander, who has coordinated the program for the past 10 years.
During the first week of December Crawford sends a notice out with a hotline number for adults who want their children to experience a visit from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Names and addresses are exchanged with plans for a visit.
"It's a tradition that keeps on giving and has for generations," he said.
Bill Shilling took on the role of Santa, along with helper Sindy Scarce early Tuesday evening, hitting more than a dozen homes. They've been delivering the holiday cheer and candy cane goods to children for seven years.
"One look at the children we visit and anyone would understand why we do it," said Shilling. "It's a heck of a lot of fun."
Santa and helper Tom Mapes and Bonnie Betts have been dialed into the program for seven years. Mapes joked that dressing up in costume is a pain and he's exhausted by the end of the night, but what makes it all worthwhile are the kids that he greets.
"All you have to do is see those eyes light up when I say 'Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas' and it makes up for the small inconvenience," he said.
Betts says what she's enjoyed the most during her years as Mapes helper is to see the same children grow older.
Other Santas and helpers joining in were Mitch Price and Amber Svensson; Dominic Manoli, Scott Wild, Dave Phillips, Karen Kipps, Jayson Hedrick, Zack Robbins, Evynne Fair and Whitney Lambert.
The program is also a fundraiser, the most significant one of the year for the reserve organization. With the donations it receives Christmas Eve, the money goes to purchase equipment, training and uniforms for reserve officers.