Santa Claus shaving his beard Christmas Eve in fundraiser for domestic violence survivors
LAS CRUCES – While children and adults alike are counting down to Christmas, Santa Claus is busy counting down to a clean shave.
Greg Scarboro, the resident Santa Claus at the Mesilla Valley Mall, will soon complete his third year in Las Cruces leading up to the Christmas holiday. He has been in Las Cruces since Black Friday weekend — a few weeks earlier than in previous years.
Like last year, Scarboro plans to finish his time in southern New Mexico by having his beard shaved.
Joel Palomarez, owner of The Barbershop at the mall, will set up on the North Pole set, inside the mall near the Cineport 10 entrance.
People are welcome to stop by and watch Santa’s transformation at about 5 p.m. Christmas Eve at the mall. Donations will be collected in support of La Casa Inc., a Las Cruces organization that supports victims of domestic violence through housing, clothing, counseling and civil legal services, as well as programs for offenders. Those interested in supporting the cause can drop off donations at The Barbershop.
La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services was the beneficiary of the donation drive in 2022. Scarboro said they were able to raise about $3,000 for the organization.
“Next year we'll do a different charity, or one of these same ones. I'll let them decide. I just want local … because I want to give back,” Scarboro said.
Palomarez will use a straight-edge blade for the shave, a kind of shave that Scarboro told the Sun-News last year he had not had since his father was still working as a barber over a decade ago.
Scarboro said he will catch a plane back to his home state of Kentucky early Christmas Day and meet family at his mother’s home to celebrate the holiday.
Scarboro has worked with Cherry Hill Photo for eight years, traveling to various states as Santa’s helper. In 2019, he was asked to take over as Santa Claus at the Mesilla Valley Mall. The mall’s previous Santa had passed away. He has returned each year since then, barring 2020 when he had to stay close to home because of the pandemic.
“I feel like I'm supposed to be here,” he said.
Children and adults of all ages and abilities enjoy lining up for their chance to sit on Santa’s lap — and pets, too. Scarboro said the youngest child he has taken a picture with was a 3-day-old boy who he now sees every year. The oldest person was a 95-year-old Las Cruces woman who had never before taken a picture with Santa.
“You would be surprised how many people come up to me and show me their pictures from three years ago, and two years ago, and one year ago. They change so much, I said, ‘if you show me your picture, I'll probably recognize it,’” he said.
Marissa Guevara waited in line Thursday afternoon for her baby’s chance to see the the man in red. Sophia, 5 months old, was dressed to have her photo taken. Guevara said she did not grow up with the tradition of visiting Santa but hopes to establish the yearly visit for her daughter.
While Santa assignments are made by Cherry Hill in partnership with mall management, Scarboro said he hopes to be sent to Las Cruces again in 2023.
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Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Santa Claus shaving his beard Christmas Eve, raising money for domestic violence survivors
