ASAP likes to share the stories of people who help us fulfill our mission. This month we talked to…Santa Claus! Actually, this is Rod Douglas who, with his wife, Cyndy, have donated to support ASAP’s Growing Minds program. Rod will also donate his time this Saturday, Dec. 17, by appearing as Santa at Asheville City Market from 10 to 11 a.m. He’s pictured in last year’s Weaverville holiday parade.
Why is supporting ASAP’s programs important to you?
Initially it was due to my wife’s stepmother, Margaret Moss, and her interest in child nutrition. She passed away in 2018 and, due to unforeseen circumstances, we still had some funds from her estate in 2021 to donate to a cause she would have enjoyed and supported. In the latter part of her career, Margaret was a nutritionist for the WIC program in Robstown, Texas, outside of Corpus Christi. Child health, nutrition, and education about both were very important to Margaret.
My wife, Cyndy, heard a presentation by ASAP for the Asheville chapter of 100+ Women Who Give. It was a welcomed bonus when we first came in to talk about a possible donation that we found [development director] Nora Scheff had moved to the staff [at ASAP]. We knew Nora from a previous nonprofit we supported. When we talked in detail with Nora and others, we learned about the Growing Minds Farm to School program. All they do with small grants for teachers at different schools in the area was a great match for our goals to honor Margaret.
What are some of your favorite ways to connect with or enjoy local food and farms in the area?
We mainly support and enjoy local food and farms through visits to three or four local tailgate markets as well as enjoying meals at some of the restaurants that specifically emphasize local farm to table practices.
How did you get into the Santa Claus game?
While living in Dallas, Texas, in the late 1990s, a friend who owned an entertainment employment agency asked me to play Santa for a couple of small children’s parties. She had the suit and beard which she lent me and I enjoyed it. I did it a few more times over the years in Dallas, including entertaining at a party in appreciation for teachers at our local elementary school. When we moved to the Asheville area and I joined the Asheville Breakfast Rotary Club, one of our very philanthropic members, Don Swaby, wanted me to appear at a luncheon for the staff of the Mountain Child Advocacy Center and give out gifts. He made available to me a beautiful Victorian Santa suit. Since that time I have made several appearances at private children’s parties and other events. All my appearances are either for a child-related nonprofit organization or any fees generated are donated to such an organization.
Do you have holiday traditions that center around food in your family?
Yes. For 20-plus years we would gather in the Dallas area with a family from our church and their extended family on Christmas Eve and enjoyed muffaletta sandwiches (she was from Louisiana) and venison chili. The meal was always topped off with Baby Jesus’ birthday cake. We hope to revive that tradition here, now that we have been blessed with a new granddaughter. We’ve also reached back into our Texas heritage and usually try to have tamales on Christmas Eve.