Robert Bruce waves to drivers on Valleyview Drive wearing his Santa Claus outfit.
(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)
December 23, 2024 - 7:00 AM
A sidewalk Santa is busy cheering up drivers on a busy roadside in Kamloops this holiday season, receiving lots of waves and honks, and it’s all in the spirit of Christmas giving.
Formerly a Santa at the Coast Kamloops Hotel, Robert Bruce changed gears during COVID-19 social distancing rules in 2021, and stood at the end of his driveway on Valleyview Road in his Santa suit to lift spirits, and he’s been doing it every November and December since.
“People walk by and say ‘hi’, everybody in the neighbourhood knows me and everybody honks,” he said. “My neighbours are used to it. I’ve had the high school kids come here and sing carols.”
It was a rainy, grey day on Dec. 19 when iNFOnews.ca stopped by to watch the jolly old elf in action. Dressed in a suit and sporting an authentic beard and round belly, the father and grandfather looks just like Saint Nick.
This month Bruce has been busy visiting kids at a local school and making appearances at numerous local businesses. Any money he earns he leaves with the businesses to donate to the Royal Inland Hospital.
“The businesses can get the income tax right-off, I don’t take money and I’ll be anybody’s Santa Claus,” he said. “Sometimes when I have enough money, I walk around downtown and give out bills to the homeless.”
When asked why he volunteers as Santa every year, Bruce said giving brings him joy.
“The spirit of Santa is the spirit of giving, it’s the same thing,” he said. “The kids ask me if I’m the real Santa and I never lie to them. I say ‘there are a lot of us Santas, but you have to remember what Santa is, it’s the spirit giving.
“Santa lives in your heart, and the kids get it.”
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Bruce is out jingling bells and waving at drivers every Saturday just after noon for the months of November and December. How long he stands there for depends on the weather.
“My standard is two busses if it’s cold out, I get two school busses go by and if I’m bloody cold I’ll go in,” he said.
On Christmas Eve Bruce goes to visit staff and patients at Royal Inland Hospital.
“You get to see all the babies, you get to cheer up the kids,” he said. “Everyone with dementia, maybe they can’t remember their families, but they all remember Santa.”
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On Christmas Day, Bruce wraps up his Santa season by going to a local dog park to give dogs treats and throw balls for them.
Boxing Day is always a special day for Bruce.
“It’s the best day because it means I can shave,” he said with a big laugh. “I tried a fake beard one year, but it’s crazy, it’s more itchy than the real thing.”
For more about Kamloops' Sidewalk Santa Robert Bruce, check out his Facebook page here.
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