There’s an empty seat in the workshop on Gordon Lake this year, but thanks to the efforts of Mary “Mrs. Claus” Anderson, her husband’s memory and legacy with the Al Millard Memorial Stocking Full of Love charity in Walker County will continue.
With help from social media and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson set up a fundraiser where families could come and take photos in Santa’s workshop at her Gordon Lake home. Three local Santas offered their services as well, and families could choose from seven different backdrops and scenes. The October weekend event brought in $4,000 for Stocking Full of Love, according to a news release.
“When you lose your spouse, life is just not the same anymore,” Anderson said. “We were more in love the day he passed away than the day we got married, and continuing on with Santa’s work is something I know he loved so much. I want to do as much as I can to help as many children as possible.”
(READ MORE: Mural unveiling brings new energy to Soddy-Daisy)
Mary Anderson said she and her late husband, Mike, who passed away in 2021 from COVID-19 complications, got into the world of Santa by a chance meeting with another Santa at their local Walmart.