Now that Christmas is over, we're going to spill the beans just a little bit. It is a well-known fact for adults and many children that the real Santa Claus has a team of helpers who serve simultaneously throughout the world in the weeks before Christmas. These are special people who have taken on a mission of love. They attend a special Santa University and are taught by the big man himself just how to relate to children, and how to show their love and compassion for all people in a manner that makes Santa proud.

In Logan County, one of the sweetest and most compassionate of these Santa helpers is Terry Bell. So invested in this mission is Terry that even wife Wendy has become caught up in the Spirit of Christmas love and often accompanies Terry as Mrs. Claus.

Wendy recently spoke about Terry saying, "I think back to when he first portrayed Santa Claus, lighting the downtown Lincoln Christmas tree in a fake beard, rubber boots, and a hand-me-down suit. (Seeing him as) the real-bearded full-time Santa that he has become, I know he has found his mission in life to spread love to children of all ages. I'm so very blessed to play a part and so proud of him, I wanted others to know as well.

Among the many visits, this local Santa makes each year, in addition to the Lincoln Christmas Parade, is to the HSHS St. Johns Children's Hospital in Springfield. Here are two special videos from recent visits to St. Johns. These videos have been given to LDN by Wendy Bell with permission from St. John's, and can also be found on YouTube and social media for the Bells and St. John's.

2016 YouTube Video:  Saint Nick arrives at St. John's on Saints Flight

2017 YouTube Video:  Santa's visits with Miracle Kids

Photo from LDN archives            (Click on image for larger version)