Bridgewater Commons Santa is Among the Best
Mall Santas are a dedicated bunch, but they’re not alone on Time’s list of the top 11 Santas in the U.S.
Two, however, did make the cut: Thomas Tolbert, who handles Santa duties at Bridgewater Commons in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and Scott Calkin of Mashpee Commons.
Time’s NewsFeed team worked with the International University of Santa Claus, American Event’s Professional Santa Claus School and Santa-America to come up with some of the very best Santas around. Calkin and Tolbert certainly fit the bill.
According to Time, Calkin, 66, “also volunteers for HopeHealth’s Hospice programs in Cape Cod, sits with Alzheimer’s patients, and makes house calls for terminally ill pediatric patients. He gives out fleece scarves with mittens on either end called ‘Santa’s Hugs’ so that the ‘children can give themselves a hug when they need one.'”
Tolbert, meanwhile, is on his second season at Bridgewater Commons, where he does his best to bring joy to all who visit him. According to Time, one little girl with special needs stops by weekly to spend a little time with Santa. Tolbert holds the line to see her, and the two of them dance the jitterbug, the waltz or anything other dance that brings her a smile.
Pictured: Scott Calkin
