For the third year, Macon-Bibb County District 2 Commissioner Paul Bronson – along with the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Macon Mental Health Matters, and other partners – joined together to take Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch around to different Macon-Bibb County neighborhoods.
“Everyone deserves those moments of joy that we all get during the holiday season, and we wanted to help bring one of those moments to children around the county,” says Commissioner Bronson.
“We had an amazing time spreading joy and kindness through the streets of Macon-Bibb! The honking horns by adults and waves from children reminded me of the reason for the season,” said Andrea Cooke with Macon Mental Health Matters, who was dressed as Mrs. Claus. “There’s so much good in our community, and we love seeing it!”
That’s why he started Santa Spotting several years ago…to bring smiles to kids’ faces. And that’s exactly what happened with two little girls staying at the Brookdale Resource Center. They were jumping for joy and squealing in delight as the Fire Department’s ladder truck pulled up with a public safety escort and they saw Santa on the top.
“MOMMY! MOMMY! IT’S SANTA!” the older one yelled excitedly over and over while pulling on her mother’s hand, trying to run toward the truck.
As Santa (or Commissioner Bronson, as we know him) came down from the truck, he gave each girl a candy cane and small gift, then spent several minutes talking to him.
The scene was similarly played out as the caravan drove through Murphey Homes, Anthony Homes, and North Napier Apartments. They made a stop in Mount Homes in the Historic Pleasant Hill Neighborhood. In each area – and all along the route – the sirens, lights, and Christmas music playing from the truck brought children running out to catch a glimpse of Santa.
“We couldn’t do this without great support from our public safety team, as well as great community organizations,” says Commissioner Bronson. Those included Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Melanated Community Stimulation Project, Inc., and the Southern Center for Choice Theory, LLC, and Macon Violence Prevention.