The Real Santa Claus
Most of us enjoy the benefits and successes of being a part of the best industry in the world, although we know the downfalls, frustrations, and challenges of being a part of the car business. We work hard, bell to bell, to provide for ourselves, our families, our customers, and our teams, and we often play Santa Claus in our everyday lives.
This story is not about our business. It is about Bill Dieterle. One of Bill’s first jobs was as a midnight bellman at Stouffers Hotels. Soon, he was the youngest VP in the hotel chain, then on to Tony Roma’s as VP. A very successful man in both hotel and food brands. In 1981, Bill founded a non-profit organization called Santa’s Hide-A-Way Hollow.
Santa’s Hide-A-Way Hollow is dedicated to working with seriously and terminally ill children and their families to provide comfort and support throughout the final stages of the child’s illness. Many children ask to see Santa for their last Christmas as they near the end of their struggle. Santa’s Hide-A-Way is committed to meeting that need any time of the year. Santa's Hide-A-Way Hollow, located on 93 acres in Middlefield, Ohio, is described as "A Magical Place Tucked in Your Heart Where the Spirit of Christmas Lasts Forever," this began as a dream, and was completed in 1992. What started as a desire to help terminally ill children and their families has resulted in a Christmas retreat from the reality of their illness, creating wonderful memories instead. The Mission of Santa's Hide-A-Way is to bring families together during a very difficult time in their lives. It provides a perfect setting for a visit with Santa Claus, no matter the date.
The village consists of Santa’s house, a post office, a general store, a barber shop, a bank, an overnight cabin, a tackle and bait shop, a reindeer barn, and the Dieterles’ actual home. Children who feel well enough come to the village and spend the day with Santa and the elves, doing interactive activities at each shop. The organization is run completely by volunteers who spend their time helping the Dieterles bring Christmas to children in hospitals, hospices, and nursing facilities. Each time Santa visits a hospital, he arrives with an escort of police cars, ambulances, and even a fire truck, all driven by volunteers. Accompanying him are volunteers dressed up as elves who help Santa pass out toys and talk with sick children. When the elves visit hospitals, every child gets a present from Santa.
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Bill is a real Santa Claus. If you are looking for a way to be a part of the true spirit of Christmas, this is a great organization.
Doug Thompson President Fixed Performance Inc. Cell:?(440) 552-4657 [email protected] https://www.fixedperformance.com/