Santa and Mrs. Claus visit HWMH patients, staff ahead of big day

by Mike Renzella

December 21, 2023

DUNNVILLE—Just 11 days before taking off for another whirlwind, night-long trip around the world delivering presents, the world’s most famous elf, none other than Santa Claus himself, accompanied by his lovely wife Mrs. Claus, took some time out of the busy pre-Christmas schedule to visit the staff and patients at Haldimand War Memorial Hospital.

DUNNVILLE—Santa and Mrs. Claus stop to pose with some of the amazing, dedicated nurses at Haldimand War Memorial Hospital. —Haldimand Press photos by Mike Renzella.

Santa worked in collaboration with his helpers at the Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation (DHHF) to co-ordinate this special trip, inviting DHHF Executive Director (and possible secret elf) Deb Rollo, as well as Administration & Donor Relations Specialist Rachel Schmalz and Signature Event & Social Media Coordinator Danielle Ormonde along for the ride.

DUNNVILLE—Santa chatted with Haldimand War Memorial Hospital patient Glen Fullerton. The two shared a couple jokes that could be tastefully referred to as ‘not safe for the North Pole’.

Santa and his entourage made their way through the hospital, jovially walking into patients’ rooms to jingle some bells, share a joke or two, and leave them, candy cane in hand, to bask in the warm glow of some much-needed holiday cheer

Along the way, the Clauses were met with excitement by the old and the young.

Santa and Mrs. Claus meet six-month old Georgia Verge and her mother Samanta Barless. Santa confirmed that Georgia is on the nice list for her first ever Christmas.

Those visiting with Santa included everyone from six-month old Georgia Verge, cradled in the arms of her mom Samantha Barless, to Pat Berryman, who is currently staying in the in-patient unit of the hospital and who just celebrated her 100th birthday last month.

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Santa and Mrs. Claus visit with in-patient unit resident Pat Berryman, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday, as elf (and DHHF Executive Director) Deb Rollo looks on.

The jolly old elves stopped by the nursing station, posing for photos with many of the hospital’s dedicated staff, from hospital CEO Sharon Moore to maintenance workers Marlene Phibbs, Susan Manwarren, and Sue Knox, and long-time volunteer Barb MacDonald.

Once finished at the hospital, Santa and Mrs. Claus marched over to Edgewater Gardens, where they continued to spread cheer with the residents there before hopping into their sleigh and heading back to the North Pole to continue with their preparations for December 24.

Santa and Mrs. Claus pose with staff members at HWMH’s pharmacy.

Before they left though, we were able to ask Santa one question: could he share any inside dirt on the children of Haldimand this year, and what was the nice-to-naughty ratio looking like for 2023?

“We’re at about 90% nice,” said Santa. “That’s up from last year.”