Santa’s elves live among us, bringing the spirit of Christmas to every corner of our community. What if we told you here in Parker, we have a Mrs. Claus to ensure Santa’s true meaning spreads far and wide throughout the year? A longtime Parker resident, Kam Breitenbach, became Mrs. Claus to share the impact that the giving season brings to true believers.
“I was a receptionist at Town Hall in Parker,” Kam explains. “Mayor Gary Lasater came in and said, ‘I’ve got these toys and I’m sorting them out.’” The toys would be going to a few Title 1 schools in Aurora, where his wife taught. He asked Kam to help sort and then distribute them to the children.
“I wore a Christmas-type dress,” Kam says. “There was this little boy who came up and said, ‘Santa and Mrs. Claus, I got a book for myself, but could I get one for my little brother? It will probably be his only Christmas present.’ Well, I became Mrs. Claus right then…that was 45 years ago.”
Being Mrs. Claus means Kam takes part in many events throughout the Parker community and surrounding areas to bring cheer to those who need it most. Being involved with the Downtown Business Alliance, a non-profit organization that has managed the Parker Christmas parade for the last three years, has been a highlight for Kam.
“They canceled the Parker parade this morning,” Kam speaks mournfully. “It’s just too expensive.”
Taking a deep breath, she continues, “I’ve got a 2:30 appointment to see what we can do. I always have ideas.” Being Mrs. Claus, we never doubted she would turn this around, and that she did.
Working with the Downtown Business Alliance, Kam helped them develop the idea of a Christmas Market instead. The market will cost half of what the parade does and provide local businesses with an opportunity to shine during the holiday season. The Downtown Business Alliance is a coalition of members, including businesses, managers and supporters, who believe in the soul of the Parker community. Kam fits right into that mold.
“I’m really booked this year, which is fun,” Kam chirps with a sparkle in her eyes.
She began visiting various senior facilities to spread joy to the patients. She now visits Victoria Hills, Morning Star, and the hospital, among others, with more of Santa’s helpers.
“So I was going around to the different senior facilities,” Kam explains. “And it got to be where I couldn’t walk the halls as I got older when I went to Skyridge. I asked my Rotary if he would get involved. Now, it’s a signature event for the Rotary. We’ll go to Skyridge, have three or four Santas, Mrs. Clauses and elves.”
While Kam finds every event a joy, her two favorite things are her work with Make-A-Wish and Parker Valley Hope.
“The kids come in and they’ll have it set up like a store,” Kam says. “They’ll have a section for moms, dads, grandparents, and then kids by different ages. The kids have a slip they have filled out who they want to give their Christmas present to, and they have their fake money, and they go and buy their Christmas presents.”
“The kids forget about being sick there for a short time,” she explains. “Last year, a little girl came flying out of nowhere and jumped in my lap, and she wouldn’t let go. I must have had her for three to five minutes, just whispering in her ear.”
Her other favorite, Parker Valley Hope, has a sister location in Littleton, where they host a Christmas party for families with mothers who are undergoing rehabilitation. It’s one of the highlights for Kam as she brings gifts, this year teddy bears, for all the children.
As Kam continues to extend love throughout the community, she has secured Core's sponsorship of Breakfast with Santa again this year at the Parker Senior Center, which will be held on Friday, December 19th. Being the first day of winter break, she is sure to see many families excited to see her and, of course, Santa.
While pondering some of the best moments of being Mrs. Claus, Kam says, “When I went to an Alzheimer’s unit, two of these ladies were sitting on a bench, and they were not happy. So I started talking to the first one, and she just started chatting right along. The other lady, however, could be seen getting more and more irritated. So I finally went and started talking to her, and they told me that was the first time she’d ever spoken since she’s been there.”
The power of Mrs. Claus extends beyond age and generation, sickness and loss, and she’s right here in our backyard–spreading the true meaning of Christmas everywhere she goes.
"I became Mrs. Claus right then…that was 45 years ago."
“I’m really booked this year, which is fun.”