“Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.”  We all know the story of young Virginia O’Hanlon, the eight year old girl whom asked The Sun newspaper in 1897 a question that all people, young or old, yearn to know – is there a Santa Claus?  Columnist Francis Church responded with an iconic answer that Virginia believed until her final years.  In fact, in her later stages of life, Virginia was able to meet Santa in person and we have the exclusive photo of the encounter.

in 1969, Virginia had to spend Christmas in the Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, NY.  Quite the gloomy place to spend the most magical day of the year.  When maintenance worker,  John Harms, caught wind, he had to make Virginia’s holiday special.  Harms would routinely play Santa for the patients.  On Christmas Eve, he popped into Mrs. O’Hanlon’s room and helped restore her faith in Father Christmas.  John Harms’ wife was in the room that night and took a photo of the meeting.  Thanks to the Harms family, sisters Catherine and Maria, their mother Florence (Harms) Wintjen, I have been given permission to share this amazing photo with you.

Catherine Harms

Merry Christmas to you and yours from us here at X-Jock.