On a recent cold, overcast Friday with snow frozen to the ground, Bernaldo Hernandez is Santa.
With a smile and twinkle in his eye, Hernandez dons a familiar red with white-trim suit with a hat and a big black belt around his belly, he waves his black mittens at traffic heading north on Larch Street out front of the Affordable Tire & Service Center business in Lansing.
A holiday marketing ploy for a local business? No.
“They do a lot of work on my car,” Hernandez says.
It’s his way of giving back. Hernandez said he goes all over Lansing dressed as Santa bringing cheer to those passing by the places and people he gives his business to during the year.
“Sometimes I get cold feet, but then it just melts away,” said Hernandez of his roleplaying as arguably the season’s most popular figure.
“There’s no use in hiding the spirit,” Hernandez said. “You’ve got to let it out.”
Originally from Owosso, Hernandez has been a Lansing resident a long time and is finding creative ways to give back.
Don’t be surprised if you see Hernandez around town before Christmas.
As long as he’s not on a break, “Yeah I retire. Sometimes I gotta have a seat,” he said.
“I’m old enough. I made it!”
From Hernandez’s perspective, he’s enjoying life and is in the holiday spirit.
