You would never guess this: Christmas holds no particular enchantment for Gavin Maclean.
But he does get a big kick out of seeing all the kids and seniors he meets and has a chance to connect with every year. It’s a season for which he makes sure he’s well prepared.
The active Bradford volunteer begins early by first going to a local salon for a bit of a refresh. He emerges with his beard sparkling white with eyebrows to match, along with something of a jolly demeanour.
“From Nov. 16, I’m booked every weekend,” he says, listing off the many Santa events in which he appears, many of them fundraising initiatives for various groups.
MacLean, now in his 60s, was named Bradford’s citizen of the year at the town’s annual Canada Celebrations this summer. After accepting the award, he returned to flipping hamburgers for the Bradford Lion’s Club. Two years ago, he was named the area’s volunteer of the year.
“I like volunteering, I don’t do it for the recognition,” says MacLean who travels all over the area by day as a drywaller.
MacLean, grew up in Toronto in a family whose members were all quite involved in their community. His dad was a member of the Lions and as a child MacLean himself was a Leo, related to the Lions family. He also helped his mom deliver Christmas hampers.
His daughter, Emilee, he proudly declares, had logged 1,100 volunteer hours by the time she graduated high school. She’s now a police officer in Toronto.
The Macleans moved to Bradford 25 years ago and haven’t looked back, immersing themselves in the community.
“It’s not the little town it used to be,” he says, adding that the small “mom and pop” stores are now surrounded by big-box operations which service the ever-increasing population.
Currently he’s president of the Bradford Lions Club. He’s also second vice president of the Bradford legion, he’s on the board of the Helping Hands Food Bank and also sits on the town’s committee of adjustment.
His wife, Linda, is also active in the community. In addition to supporting Maclean in the various volunteer initiatives, she also runs the community fridge program.
Twice Maclean ran for town council but was unsuccessful. He’s since decided to focus his efforts on volunteering and won’t be seeking a position again.
Maclean is also active in whatever down time remains. He’s participated in about 10 half-Ironman races. He’s also part of a group of about 30 from across Simcoe County called the Odd Balls, who gather every year to cycle in the Ride to Conquer Cancer to raise money for cancer research at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
“It’s a family we see once a year,” he laughs, adding that they spend the weekend riding and doing activities together and may also gather for training rides leading up to the event.
Over the years, the group has raised more than $1 million for cancer research.
As he prepares for the upcoming season, Maclean is making his list and checking it twice. When the Santa Claus float passes by during the town’s annual parade, Santa can often be seen calling out the names of children in the crowd. Thanks to information provided by parents, he knows just where to find the children.
And then the letters start coming in. That’s when the family pitches in. Linda makes sure each child receives a response.
The goal, after all, is to spread the joy throughout the community.
