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In 1953, 17-year-old Sam Chellino walked into the Sears in Chicago and handed over $15 for a corduroy Santa suit accessorized by plastic shoe covers and a cotton beard.
“It all started with my niece and nephew in 1953 and I’m still doing it,” Chellino said of playing Santa.
Each Christmas, Chellino, now on his sixth suit, custom made with leather boots and belt, receives calls from people all over the Joliet area asking him to play Santa. Sometimes he goes out on paid gigs, other times he chooses to not take money for his appearances. It all depends on who may need a Santa that particular year.
He gives the money he makes playing Santa to families in need.
“Many times people can’t afford Christmas,” Chellino said. “If I do charge, what I make I spend on people. I usually find my families by word of mouth. People tell me.”
Years ago, Chellino said, the post office gave him letters sent to Santa.
“I would read the normal letters from the kids, but some kids wanted something for their brother or sister and nothing for themselves,” Chellino said.
Nate Albert said he has known Chellino his entire life and remembers him as the neighborhood Santa.
“It was one of the craziest feelings. When I got older, I recognized a voice and as time went on, I realized he was the Santa when I was a kid,” Albert said. “My kids are now the ones sitting on his lap at Christmas. It’s magical.”
Albert said Chellino has an amazing way with kids — not every adult can talk to kids and he does it very well, Albert added.
Chellino has been on the Richland School District 88A Board of Education since 1981 because, he said, “I make sure I can do everything I can to get the kids a better education. I love to get involved, and I can’t sit still.”
Three years ago he began a video club at the school district to teach the students how to use equipment and to highlight events at the schools.
“We can’t just always recognize the top players or the smartest kids in the school. We need to recognize everybody,” Chellino said. “So, I taught the kids to record games and events within the schools and now everybody can get recognized.”
Most of the time, Chellino said, he gives away copies of the videos to the students involved. But if he does charge, he puts the money back into the program. He also volunteers as a director and camera operator for Crest Hill Community TV in order to showcase local events.
This year, Chellino will receive his 25-year pin from the Crest Hill Lions Club.
Chellino keeps going, he said, because, “When you volunteer and constantly help someone, in gets in your blood. I like being myself and unselfishly help others, love others and not expect reward.”