Each year at this time, Jackson Bedford swaps the robes he wears as a Fulton County Superior court judge for a much more festive, fur-trimmed outfit. The switch in attire turns the Buckhead resident into what most kids believe is the real Santa Claus.
Since the late 1980s, Bedford, 68, has relished the role he first took on to liven up a holiday party.
“The hostess said one of her neighbors was a little boy about six who would be thrilled to meet Santa,” Bedford recalled. “She called him to come over, and the minute he saw me across the room, he ran to me and threw his arms around my leg. That was when I realized the power and the magic of Santa - something I had never really thought about before.”
After that successful debut, Bedford began making seasonal appearances at friends’ homes. He was then asked by the Northside Athletic Club to give out gifts to needy children. At his first appearance at a recreation center in Peoplestown, Bedford had his photo taken with about 300 children. The encounter gave him the idea to start the Atlanta Santa Project that was officially launched in 1993.
“I was president of the Atlanta Bar Association at the time and decided it would be a great project,” said Bedford. “It was a great way to say to the community, ‘Lawyers are very involved and make contributions to the community’.”
With Bedford as Chief Santa, the Project is supported by lawyers and judges from around the area who play Santa or elves to children and mentally-challenged adults who might not otherwise get to meet the Jolly Old Soul. They fan out to hospitals, shelters, DFACS gatherings and neighborhoods around Atlanta where kids receive a gift and a photo with Santa.
“People laugh when I tell them I have a Lead Elf and a lot of Super Elves,” said Bedford. “But it is a production to do this. The elves act as handlers to lead Santa in, get him seated, introduce him - to even make sure his hair and beard stay on right. Sometimes, they’ve had to pry babies’ fingers apart before they tear Santa’s beard.”
The volunteer crews have seen as many as 5,000 children and mentally-challenged adults in one season. For Bedford (the only Santa with a real beard), the work goes on until the last minute, with a Christmas Eve stop at a battered women’s shelter; a Christmas Day visit to Egleston-Children’s Heathcare; and a final stop at the USO offices at the airport where he often leads a procession of troops heading out to the gates. For Bedford and his wife Patty (aka Mrs. Claus), the work is the true meaning of the holiday.
“The first time we went to Egleston, my wife and I came back to house and hugged each other,” he recalled. “We both said, ‘This is what Christmas is all about.’ ”
Every other Wednesday, H.M. Cauley brings you positive stories from our community. To suggest a story idea, e-mail hm_cauley@yahoo.com.
About the Author
