Eric Schmitt-Matzen has spent years portraying Santa Claus. His (real) white beard has won contests, and he does roughly 80 appearances a year as the jolly old elf. One appearance would change his life forever.
Matzen got a call one night from a nurse asking him to rush to the hospital to grant a dying child’s wish, to see Santa Claus one more time. After a short conversation, that child would die in his arms.
KnoxNews has the emotional story. Grab some tissues, you’ll need them.
