Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Czubinski.
Hi Jerry, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My Blue Angel Santa Claus journey started in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, I was growing out my beard for the “No Shave” November prostate Cancer Awareness and kept it growing into December. I received a call from my sister Kim who lives up in Wisconsin to see if I could make a call to her granddaughter Brook who was “Acting up” with the birth of her new brother. Kim asked If I could pretend to be Santa Claus and FaceTime Brook. I went through my closet and had an old Santa coat and hat that I would wear on Christmas morning when we would open up gifts. Got on my phone and changed my Information so when I called, it would come up as Santa Claus along with a picture of me portraying Santa. The call went over and gave Brook some encouraging Big Sister advice and let her know that she was currently on Santa’s Middle List ……..which she didn’t know Santa had, and either did Santa…. and that her Elf on the shelf would keep an eye on her and let me know when we can move her up onto the Nice List. I called Brook on Christmas Eve to let her know how proud Mrs. Claus and I were of her and what a great help she has been as well as being a caring and loving Big Sister. After the initial call, my sister and wife posted the call up onto Facebook, the word got out and I started doing FaceTime calls to kids around the United States. This was especially welcomed since Santa was not available around the country for Mall or home visits.
After the Christmas of 2020, we did some research on becoming a professional Real Bearded Santa Claus, we turned our game room into Santa’s office including a workbench, Larger antique Chair, 4- Christmas Trees, and tons of Christmas decorations. This way we could conduct FaceTime, Zoom, virtual calls and also have local families visit for a one on one with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
We found a local group here in Texas called the Lone Star Santa’s, joined the group and a Santa from San Antonio took me under his wing and mentored me on becoming Santa Claus, I also joined HireSanta who was featured on Shark Tank who trained and supported Santa’s from everything from weekly virtual meeting and training to suppling Background checks, insurance as well as local and international Santa Gigs.
I chose Name Blue Angel Santa Claus since I was in the Navy for 25 years and tour with the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team – The Blue Angels. This way I can roll my Naval Aviation history and experience into my Santa Claus stories and “Tall Tales” This would be part of our branding and back story. We created a website, Facebook and Instagram pages and started to get the word out that the Blue Angel Santa Claus is available for all types of visits and charity events. One thing we offer for our “Story Telling and Santa Claus experience” is we have a full-size Rudolph Harness, Collar as well as reindeer shoes that we hand out. This year we will actually be doing charity event at a local forge on how Santa and his Blacksmith make these special magical reindeer shoes that are only used on Santa’s Christmas Eve Flight.
In the beginning of 2021,I reached out to a number of Photographers to work with and possibly trade photo shoots for professional pictures. Fast forward to 2022……….. Carolyn and I are now Santa and Mrs. Claus, we have over 12 local photographers we work with, along with a number of foster homes, Churches, schools, special needs groups, local businesses, and of course home visits, corporate events and festivals. We have been booked up since February and did a number of Summer Santa / Christmas in July events.
This has been a true Blessing as well as humbling to be able to pay it forward and give back. There is nothing like the Magic of Christmas especially during these trying times.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a smooth road and a lot of it due to having The Lone Star Santa’s Group, HireSanta and especially my mentor Santa Wade Wells. His wife Roberta who portrays Mrs. Claus, she has also taken Carolyn under her wing and guiding her on becoming Mrs. Claus. Roberta is also a seamstress to the Claus community who along with her friend Deb have handmade our outfits.
We’ve been impressed with Blue Angel Santa Claus, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our business as Blue Angel Santa and Mrs. Claus is growing and would like for it to be a year-round entity to continue to support, help and spread joy and happiness and the feeling of Christmas. The Christmas spirit of taking care of each other, treating everyone as you would like to be treated and overall caring. What sets us apart is it is a year long adventure and Santa and Mrs. Claus do checkups throughout the year to add encouragement when needed, a boost of confidence, and once in a while a “You really need to do just a little bit better” or “ Work a little harder” We even call on Birthdays and special occasions.
How we look at it is, it’s great to give a child or person in need some joy and comfort during the Holidays ……….but what happens during the rest of the year. We want to let them know we are always thinking of them and to spread that smile around 365 days a year, the spirit and love of Christmas is always around us.
We also offer unique letters that are handwritten for each child or adult that with the help of their family we share some things in the letter that open up their eyes ……how could Santa and Mrs. Claus know that.
We also have one-of-a-kind items that include a swatch of Santa’s outfit, a magic button to leave near the plate of cookies on Christmas Eve, and a swatch of reindeer fur (no reindeer we harmed during this process) that is inscribed on them. We have also designed and created special Magic Reindeer Shoes, that include a Ready for Flight tag and Red Remove before Flight flag, all spinning around the Blue Angels and Naval Aviation. This gives them a keepsake that is “Real” and able to pass down from generation to generation.
We have also branched off and are now selling handmade Christmas scented Beard Products, one which is Santa’s Sugar Cookie, the kids love this scent and so awesome to hear them whisper……..Santa smells like sugar cookies.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Surprising…….. I guess that would be that I was in the Navy for 25years, with a 4-year tour with the Blue Angels ………….. I call it Sailor to Santa. Gone are the days of the clean-shaven, clean-cut Navy Uniformed Warrior. This Chapter is Santa Claus. It does play a part in my story on my previous life and when Santa Called me up to join the ranks of portraying Santa Claus. I even have a decree from Santa himself appointing me as a Member of his Santa Claus family and my duties and responsibilities as a Santa Claus.
Pricing:
- Home visits range from $125.00 per hour
- Special needs events are free or donation to our Charity
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blueangelsantaclaus.godaddysites.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueangelsantaclaus5/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueangelsantaclaus
Image Credits
Brook Stanley Photography Cristie Reddehase – Silver Images Photography Jessica Rosa Photography Ashley Forstmann Photography
