FAST FIVE: Rod Genter: Yes, North Idaho, there is a Santa Claus
Meet Santa Claus, played by Rod Genter, who has lived in North Idaho about 14 years with his wife, Joan. During this time every year, Rod volunteers as Santa for any local nonprofit organization. Rod has been doing this for over 25 years. He is a retired LAPD officer of 27 years and retired U.S. Air Force with 28 years of service. His passion is traveling and nature photography. He lives in Rathdrum and loves North Idaho.
When asked how he began his secret role:
"I had just returned from a trip to Alaska where I had grown longer hair and a beard. My daughter Jeanette was organizing a Christmas dance for teens and adults with disabilities and asked me if I would help her by being Santa. The organization didn't have enough money to pay for a professional Santa, so I said I would volunteer to help out if they could find me a costume suit. I put on the suit for the first time and when I saw the reactions on the faces of these teens and adults with disabilities, I was hooked. I have been volunteering for nonprofit groups ever since.
"It is very fulfilling. I feel blessed to have a gift of 'looking' like Santa and putting joy on the faces of children and seniors. It is especially rewarding when I can get a smile out of a sick child or senior when they are not feeling well. In churches, I have talked about the first gift of Christmas, which is the Baby Jesus."
1) How are things going at the North Pole with Christmas just a few days away — how are the reindeer and the elves?
Things are going great at the North Pole. The elves keep in touch with me and are telling me we are ahead of schedule in getting the presents and toys ready for the children at Christmas. The reindeer are all ready and in shape to go out on Christmas Eve and are looking forward to eating all the treats the children leave for them on Christmas. (Their favorites are oats, carrots and apples). Santa's favorite cookie is chocolate chip, but I will eat most any cookies left out.
2) What do you love the most about Christmas?
It is a time where everyone remembers the beauty of childhood, with its wonders, beliefs, hopes and wishes.
3) How exactly do you get around the world and down so many chimneys in just one night?
I and my Elves always get a great laugh about this question, "How does Santa get around the world and down so many chimneys in just one night?" Scientists, scholars and people from all walks of higher education have attempted to explain this and as my head toy maker Elf Einstein says, "They failed." They forgot the imagination and belief of a child who answered this question with, "It's Santa's Christmas Magic."
4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Santa?
5) If you had a message for the good girls and boys of North Idaho this Christmas Day, what would it be?
The message I have for all the good girls and boys of North Idaho this Christmas Day and always is please follow Santa's simple rules for getting Christmas presents:
A. Be good
B. Mind mommies, daddies, grandmas and grandpas, uncles and aunts and teachers.
C. Most important — No yelling, shouting, screaming, arguing between brothers and sisters in or around the house. It scares my reindeer away. If they don't want to come to your house, I can't leave presents under the Christmas tree.
