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'My whole life is surrounded by Santa': Santa's helper spreads joy at Hayden Walmart

The man goes by Santa. Check his nametag, if you don't believe him. In true Santa fashion, he's all Kris Kringle all the time.

HAYDEN, Idaho — Santa’s helper, who works at the Hayden Walmart, is speaking out after a family’s story about him went viral.

Santa works as a cashier at the Walmart. From his check stand, he asks little ones if they’ve been good and helps spread holiday cheer.

The man goes by Santa. Check his nametag, if you don't believe him. In true Santa fashion, he's all Kris Kringle all the time.

"My whole life is surrounded by Santa. If you saw my house, you've got all kinds of Santas around there," he said.

While shopping for plates to use during Thanksgiving dinner a few weeks ago, Stacey Jones and her son Jackson, 3, received quite the surprise when they met Santa at the cash register.

She posted about the meeting on Facebook and it went viral.

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For the last 25 years, Santa has lived in Coeur d'Alene. Before that, he worked as an accountant and a cab driver in Los Angeles. Riders there knew him as Santa. Now Walmart shoppers know his cheer, too.

Santa said he's all about Christmas spirit year-round and spreading love as Saint Nick, because that's what the holiday season means.

"I enjoy it. I enjoy dealing with the public. It's seeing people relax and being friendly with each other," he said.

In December, he'll don the red cap at work. You may also see him at charity events or making house calls.

"I've never had a kid get off my lap not smiling. I love the kids," he said.

Santa is there for everyone, he says.  There's no shopper too young or too old he'll talk with. If you want to wish Santa an early Christmas, you know where to find him.

"I've enjoyed doing it. And I will continue doing it until the day I die, which won't be until I'm 200 years old," he said.

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