Media Contact
Gail Rodriguez
Communications Manager
School of Public Health
Center for Leadership in Disability
[email protected]
Krista Penninger, an alum of the GaLEND program, and her husband, William, have been actively serving their community for the past five years. They spread Christmas cheer by dressing up as Santa and Mrs. Claus, bringing joy to everyone around them.
Krista is a physical therapist at Mobility Physical Therapy, LLC, a pediatric physical therapy practice that also contracts with Babies Can't Wait. Additionally, she is the owner of Heals on Wheels Physical Therapy, LLC, a mobile cash-based practice devoted to serving the caregivers of children with disabilities. William, owns Greenway Memorials, a company specializing in monument setting and restoration. He focuses on custom marble and granite monuments, overseeing everything from design to installation and repairing and restoring older or damaged monuments to ensure their preservation and legacy. During the holiday season, they dress up as the Clauses on weekends. https://www.facebook.com/ChristmaswiththeClauses
- What inspired you to dress up as Santa and Mrs. Claus?
William started portraying Santa in 2017 with a cheap suit his mother found two sizes too large at a store. He would only dress up on Christmas day for our families and paint his beard white with theatrical paint. The following year, he filled in for a holiday event at his mother's church and loved interacting with all the kids. With my love for children, I joined William in 2019 as Mrs. Claus. We expanded to doing Santa and Mrs. Claus at our friend's Alpaca Farm in Douglasville and offered custom videos in 2020 during COVID to those unable to see Santa in person. Since 2019, William has committed to bleaching his hair and beard during the holidays so that he is always white-haired and ready to go. Now, as of 2024, we offer our services for a variety of community events, including, but not limited to, small business and corporate events, family parties, and more personal home visits. These allow us to offer free home visits to children with disabilities from the comfort and familiarity of their homes.
santa and mrs.claus - What is your favorite part about playing these beloved characters?
Our favorite part of being Santa and Mrs. Claus is witnessing the pure joy on the faces of both young and old. These moments are truly magical from the sparkle in their eyes when they first see us to the big, warm hugs we receive. Equally heartwarming is the sight of parents beaming with happiness as they witness their children's delight.
santa and mrs.claus - Do you have any heartwarming or funny stories from children you have met?
Here is a lighthearted moment from last year: One child asked Santa for a trash can for his room. His reasoning? So, he could toss his trash while playing video games and avoid his mom scolding him for leaving garbage on his desk. It was a request that brought laughter and reminded us of the unique and practical wishes kids can have!
santa and mrs.claus
Just this past weekend, we had a visit with a lovely family that included two children. While the children's excitement and the parents capturing their perfect holiday photos were wonderful moments, the most touching experience came later. The family had brought along their elderly grandmother, who was wheelchair-bound. We left the barn during a short break between visits to spend a moment with her. Her face lit up with pure joy as she softly said, "Santa," and kissed his glove. Then, turning to me, she whispered, "Mrs. Claus, you look beautiful," and kissed mine as well. Her daughter, visibly moved, captured the moment on her phone, a wide smile spreading across her face with tear-filled eyes as she thanked us for the gesture. It was a beautiful reminder of how even the smallest acts of kindness can profoundly impact, creating memories far beyond the holiday season.
santa and mrs.claus
Another heartwarming moment happened on our first home visit of the 2024 season. We visited an 11-year-old boy with Down Syndrome who is also on the spectrum with severe social anxiety. His mom has never been able to get a picture of him hugging Santa and expressed her gratitude by posting the following: "(Child's name) got a special visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus this morning, there are no words to express our gratitude, no words to describe how magical it was, simply no words could ever describe how my Mama's heart is feeling right now… I have no clue how I could ever thank you enough for today. Y'all made dreams come true with your visit, and you put a sparkle in (child's name) eyes that I have never seen." Moments like these truly bless us and solidify that what we are doing can be monumental for a family.
santa and mrs.claus - What does Christmas mean to you as a couple?
Our love for Christmas has been deeply rooted in both of us since childhood. It is a season we hold dear, not only because it celebrates the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, but also because of the profound spirit of love and kindness it inspires in people. The joy of giving, the warmth of celebration, and the fellowship shared among friends and family are traditions we treasure and take great delight in witnessing and sharing with others.
santa and mrs.claus - What does it mean to you to bring joy to so many children and families during the holidays?
It may sound cliché, but it truly means the world to us. When a child comes up to us, in those moments, no matter what challenges life may bring, the joy is genuine, the connection is real, and the happiness shared is unforgettable.
santa and mrs.claus - Have you seen how your efforts have impacted the community over the years?
Since beginning our journey as Santa and Mrs. Claus, we have been fortunate to have many repeat visitors, a truly rewarding experience as we can watch the same children grow year after year. For example, we recently celebrated our fifth year at a family friend's Alpaca Farm, where some families have visited us annually since the beginning, and we are honored to have become part of their holiday tradition. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, we have been honored to additionally offer free home visits to children with disabilities. These visits include a professional photographer who captures heartwarming moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus and beautifully edited family photos—all at no cost to the families. This initiative allows us to share the magic of the season truly meaningfully, creating memories that last a lifetime. This initiative is very important to us, as most of these families have been unable to take their children to see Santa due to medical conditions. Many of these families have not had professional family photos taken since their child was a newborn, if at all.
santa and mrs.claus - What is the funniest or most unexpected reaction you have gotten while dressed up?
People are often genuinely surprised when they find out our actual age. It is hard to believe, but as of this writing, we're both still in our 30s! We have had countless moments where people express disbelief upon hearing this. It's always amusing to see the surprise on their faces. The transformation is so complete that we can easily slip unnoticed, which always leads to some laughs once the reveal happens.
santa and mrs.claus - What advice would you give others wanting to volunteer during the holiday season?
Don't volunteer for recognition or notoriety. Volunteering, especially during the holidays, is one of the greatest gifts because it represents true selflessness, love, and connection. By giving, we are not just offering our time or resources; we are sharing care and kindness that can build meaningful relationships and uplift those around us.
santa and mrs.claus - How did LEND impact your personal and professional life?
I was honored to be a member of the GaLEND 2013-2014 cohort, representing the Physical Therapy department while in my final year of my Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The GaLEND program, which emphasizes collaboration and interdisciplinary work, was especially impactful in shaping my professional journey. This experience was transformative, reinforcing a perspective shift to look beyond the Physical Therapy lens when treating patients. Instead of solely focusing on the clinical aspects of care, it is crucial to approach each individual as a whole person, someone who is not just a patient but also a vital part of a family and a member of a broader community. This shift in perspective profoundly impacted how I interact with patients, recognizing the importance of understanding their unique roles and connections outside of the therapy setting.
santa and mrs.claus
The skills I gained in working across different disciplines and understanding the various perspectives of other members of the GaLEND team have been invaluable. As an Early Intervention Physical Therapist, I rely heavily on teamwork with other professionals to create the best outcomes for the children and families I serve. Similarly, in my role as a business owner, I often work with a wide array of community providers, from insurance companies to local organizations, to ensure that the services we offer meet the needs of those in our care. The collaborative mindset that I developed through GaLEND has set me up for success in both roles, helping me to navigate the complexities of healthcare and business while keeping the focus on what is best for the families I serve.
Written by: Gail Rodriguez, Communications Manager