International recognition
International Hall of Fame Honorees
Celebrate Ohio Santas members inducted into the independent International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.
Explore International Hall of Fame Honorees →Community & Legacy
The people behind the magic matter.
Ohio Santas is more than a way to find a performer. It is a professional community that learns together, celebrates extraordinary service, and remembers those who helped shape it.
Recognition and remembrance
Three honors. Three distinct meanings.
International recognition, distinguished service, and memorial remembrance each have their own purpose. We preserve those distinctions while honoring every person with care.
Distinguished service
Santa Emeritus
Honor members whose decades of service, mentorship, and kindness continue to guide the Claus community.
Explore Santa Emeritus →In remembrance
Final Sleigh Ride
Remember the friends and fellow performers whose Christmas spirit remains part of our community.
Explore Final Sleigh Ride →Our mission
Excellence shared generously.
To promote excellence in the community through education, mentoring, and shared experiences, encouraging members to provide an extraordinary experience at every event and to spread joy and happiness to children and everyone we see.
“To say there is no Santa Claus is the most erroneous statement in the world. Santa Claus is a thought that is passed from generation to generation.”
— Charles W. Howard
Who is Santa?
A year-round spirit of generosity.
Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy.
Who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows.
Who shares his joys with those who are sad.
Whose hand is never closed against the needy.
Whose arm is ever outstretched to aid the weak.
Whose sympathy is quick and genuine in time of trouble.
Who recognizes a comrade and brother in every man he meets upon life’s common road.
Who lives his life throughout the entire year in the Christmas spirit.
— Edwin Osgood Grover
The Santa Claus Oath
A promise to serve with compassion.
I will seek knowledge to be well versed in the mysteries of bringing Christmas cheer and good will to all the people that I encounter in my journeys and travels.
I shall be dedicated to hearing the secret dreams of both children and adults.
I understand that the true and only gift I can give, as Santa, is myself.
I acknowledge that some of the requests I will hear will be difficult and sad.
I know in these difficulties there lies an opportunity to bring a spirit of warmth, understanding and compassion.
I know the “real reason for the season” and know that I am blessed to be able to be a part of it.
I realize that I belong to a brotherhood and will be supportive, honest and show fellowship to my peers.
I promise to use “my powers” to create happiness, spread love and make fantasies come to life in the true and sincere tradition of the Santa Claus Legend.
I pledge myself to these principles as a descendant of St. Nicholas, the gift giver of Myra.
— Santa Phillip L. Wenz
The Santa Claus Oath is copyrighted by Phillip L. Wenz under an attachment with Arcadia Publishing (2008), ISBN 978-0-7385-4149-5, LCCC 2007925452, and is protected through a 2008 Creative Commons registration.