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Dec. 19, 2024 - Louder with Crowder

01:47:03

LWC Christmas Special 2024 | Giving Back with Santa Crowder

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	So 2024 is coming to a close, and thanks to you, it was by far our biggest year yet.
	And that's entirely because of you, Mug Club, which is now Rumble Premium, and that's a huge step that we're really excited about.
	Widening that umbrella, where I know that for a long time you've been wanting an alternative to YouTube.
	And it's getting there.
	I mean, two of the biggest streams, including this one, the biggest election streams in the world.
	They weren't on YouTube.
	They were on Rumble.
	Now there's one portal where you can join, get the content ad-free, and an entire catalog of content, as opposed to just Mug Club.
	And that's entirely because of your work and your support.
	No donors, no people telling us or you what the content can and cannot be.
	It's probably the thing I'm most grateful for here.
	I think all of us are.
	And because of you, along with The Daily Show, the biggest election stream on the internet ever.
	We've been able to do a lot of I think CNN is the worst outcome.
	You've helped us create narrative, reshaping super videos.
	Black and white and the gray issues.
	It's almost like talking with people.
	Things that could never work on traditional media and frankly I was told would never work in media.
	And we bet it all on you and we appreciate you supporting us.
	Big thing that happened this year could never have taken place without us.
	I say serving, but also being beholden to you directly.
	You know, you've heard me say this.
	You always owe.
	If you're in a giant nonprofit, well, you owe the donors.
	If you are in a giant corporation, sometimes you owe specific sponsors.
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	You owe somebody.
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	And I wouldn't have it any other way.
	That's why we were able to do things like the undercover projects that made a huge difference.
	I mean, you had what we did in Ohio, you had Chippewa Falls, you had the UN video.
	The Navy DEI installment.
	Of course, the DOJ being weaponized against Donald Trump.
	Something we all knew was happening, but you were able to help confirm on video by an official.
	And of course, the Jay Varma story.
	The COVID architect in New York.
	And yes, you probably enjoyed some holiday cheer at his sex parties while you were locked down.
	All of that is because of you.
	We can't tell you how much it means to us, how grateful we are, how excited we are to take this next step with Rumble Premium, with more brothers, sisters, Zs, in arms than ever before.
	And thank you.
	Watch us now.
	This was a movement like nobody's ever seen before.
	Look, you've done something that nobody's ever done.
	You've done the streams bigger than anybody.
	You have the largest stream on the planet for election night.
	If you're on the right, your spirits suck.
	On election night, the lips really sucked.
	Simply laughing and sufferable liberals cry.
	How did we get here?
	Simply laughing and sufferable liberals cry.
	If you're for the dawn, you're full of cheer.
	We'll be in good hands.
	By early next year, simply laughing at insufferable liberals' cry.
	Simply laughing at insufferable liberals' cry.
	You fucking voted for him!
	The unhinged liberals sing this song.
	Why would anyone vote for this person?
	He's so evil.
	Not with you and your mother and your sister.
	Simply laughing at insufferable liberals cry.
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	You are going to hell for this.
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	Trump beat the brat.
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	The crying liberals scream out their lungs.
	Some part of the brains went wrong.
	The ding-dongs, ding-dongs, ding-dongs, ding.
	It is not right to support someone like you.
	I can't believe that!
	MAGA 1 Time to get tough Not just on crime But all the feds who are so corrupt Stop!
	Simply laughing at insufferable liberals cry.
	Simply laughing at insufferable liberals cry.
	I chose family, I chose women, I chose parents.
	This is what people wanted.
	I vehemently disagree.
	The time is right.
	We can't let up.
	Let's fight like hell Oh, our nation needs us Simply laughing at insufferable liberals cry Simply laughing at insufferable liberals cry Simply laughing at insufferable liberals cry We're
	Oh, I'm so glad.
	Glad to be with you this year with Santa...
	Crider Claus, it's my favorite time.
	I have to take off this glove because it's very difficult to work the iPad.
	You know, we used to do this, we used to do it the manual way, but now I've got to use my thumb to make sure that everything's working swimmingly, and Santa's actually had to correct a few out-of-line elves, so my voice is a little bit strained, but this is my favorite time of year.
	We get to do this every year spend this time with you and because of your support To the North Pole Club now North Pole premium.
	We're able to do a lot of good around around this country around Christmas time it's time to put some of the the The divisiveness aside and and focus on the things that we can change the communities We can improve and the people's lives we can make Just a little bit easier Make that burden of theirs around this time of year just a little bit lighter.
	And make that shimmer in their eye just a little bit brighter.
	And some people out there are having a tough time.
	They have for a while now.
	And I know things are looking up, but they need a little bit of help making that special Christmas happen.
	And so we're very grateful to be able to pair with some fantastic charities.
	You know, sometimes the North Pole, we do some outsourcing.
	We bring in consultants to make sure that we really know where Where your support is going to do the most good.
	And so we're really excited.
	We found some great families and organizations this year that really will just put that Yuletide in your eggnog, if you will.
	Yes.
	And we're happy to work with them.
	And of course, I have my two top elves here today before we talk with these families and the wonderful children.
	We have Elf Gerald.
	Thank you for being here, sir.
	Absolutely.
	Merry Christmas, Santa.
	Merry Christmas to you, too.
	Yeah.
	And happy Hanukkah to those out there who aren't fans of mine, but I'm still there for you.
	And of course, my very top elf.
	He was actually the nicest boy on Santa's list.
	For, was it 123 years in a row?
	127, Santa.
	127. Elf Joshua, thank you for helping us this year.
	Oh, no problem.
	It's my pleasure.
	I'm a little tired.
	I had a couple too many Nogs last night.
	Oh, I know, I know.
	But the Christmas cheers hit me bright this morning.
	That's true, the Christmas cheer.
	And you know, with Nog, it's also very odd that that happens because this is virgin eggnog, so we still haven't figured it out.
	It's an excuse that he's been using.
	That's why it's not 130 years running.
	I think it's called psychosomatic intoxication.
	Yeah.
	He can't even try cough syrup.
	He thinks there's something and there's nothing.
	Now, I call them candies.
	That's right, yes.
	Oh, we had to have the little elf stomach pumped several times.
	They're not stickers.
	Don't take them off when you go to the elf hospital.
	No, they do taste good, though.
	No, no, no, no.
	Oh, I don't know how he did it for 127 years.
	Once he broke his streak, he was like that rebellious teenager.
	He just decided to go nuts, just candy canes and eggnog.
	We'll fire him before next year.
	No, no, no.
	He brings a lot of cheer to a lot of people.
	Speaking of which, is everyone here, all you people out there and all you North Pole Premier members ready to go help some families?
	Yeah.
	Yeah, you want to hear from the family.
	That's the best part, getting to see the good that everyone out there gets to do.
	All right, well, let's actually, let's get this North Pole Christmas party started, and let's introduce all of you.
	It's time to meet the first family and start the giving back process.
	Oh, that stinger never gets old.
	I love it.
	We spared no expense here at the North Pole.
	We had to...
	Change things.
	Lay off a few elves and, you know, change the labor practices.
	But we have to change with the times.
	So our first special family, they actually hail from Big Sky Country.
	That's relative from the North Pole.
	It's pretty much nothing but Big Sky over here.
	I've been there.
	They're from a place known as Montana.
	Have you been there?
	Oh, I've been there.
	I tried to get reindeer from there.
	Turns out they're elk.
	That's true.
	Very different.
	Yeah, they didn't fly.
	You know what they call them in French?
	Chevrolet.
	Chevret, do you know what they call them in Botswana?
	That's not true, Hannah.
	No.
	I'm multilingual.
	Who's the big guy?
	So they come from Montana.
	And Jeff and Sarah have been married for 17 years.
	They have four beautiful, wonderful children together.
	And here they are, Jeff and Sarah, to introduce themselves and their story.
	Hi, Laura with Crowder Team.
	My name is Jeff.
	This is my wife, Sarah.
	We have four wonderful kids.
	Older daughter, she's 16. Her name's Evelyn.
	And we got Elias, he's 14. Malachi, he's 12. And Ezekiel, he's eight years old.
	Our middle child, Malachi, we found out 22 weeks in the womb that he was born with half a heart.
	We moved the family down to Denver.
	Even though we had a doctor here in town that told us that we should abort our son, which was definitely not on the table for us.
	We had three open-heart surgeries.
	Prior to that, also, our 16-year-old daughter...
	No.
	Or she wasn't 16 at the time.
	So she was three and I was eight weeks pregnant.
	Basically, her body can't create some red blood cells.
	So from the time she was three until just three years ago, she was controlled on prednisone.
	Evelyn, once a month at this point, receives a seven to eight hour blood transfusion.
	I used to own a business for six years.
	It was a coffee shop in town, had three shops.
	And as we all know, as you too, COVID hit, then had to close down the business in 2022. We lost our house.
	Ultimately, we had to end up moving in with my mom.
	It's not the greatest situation.
	We have our room and then All four of our kids stay in the basement, but I've been applying for 10 to 15 different jobs throughout that to see what the next step was.
	It's hard to talk about it because I'm supposed to be the strong one.
	I'm supposed to be the one that provides for the family.
	And when you don't feel like that's happening and you're doing that, it's very hard on yourself.
	This isn't just hard for him as a guy.
	It's hard for me because it's my favorite thing to do is to give to others.
	Even if all of you just pray for us and pray that jobs and opportunities just open up.
	And we just thank you for even taking the time to watch.
	And I believe we have them on the line.
	What a very touching story.
	That happens every year here where there's not a dry eye in the house.
	They have four children, Zeke, Malachi, Elias, and Evelyn.
	Let's meet the family of Jeff and Sarah.
	Jeff and Sarah, Merry Christmas!
	And let me see here, I have a smaller screen, but I want to make sure that...
	Is that right there?
	Oh, is that Zeke?
	Right there?
	I can see Zeke there.
	What a handsome young man.
	And let me see if I remember all the names.
	Santa isn't as sharp as he used to be.
	Oh, I can see right there.
	That's Malachi.
	Hi, Malachi!
	Merry Christmas!
	Look at all of you.
	And then I know you have a...
	There's Elias.
	Boy, you're looking much bigger than I thought.
	Fourteen?
	What are they putting in the milk in Big Sky Country?
	And of course, there's beautiful Evelyn.
	Merry Christmas.
	Hi, Evelyn.
	Oh, there we are.
	We have a little bit of a connection.
	I don't know if you know this at the North Pole.
	We're still back on 3G sometimes, so it's a little bit slower.
	But are you boys and girls all excited?
	Your mom and dad, Jeff and Sarah, they set this up and reached out to Santa to make it very special this year.
	Did you tell them thank you?
	Yes.
	Thank you.
	Well, Jeff and Sarah, thank you for reaching out.
	Can you tell us a little bit about your family here and why you reached out to Santa?
	I know that little Zeke, is he still a daredevil doing all the extreme sports, as people call it?
	Yes, he sure is.
	He kind of gets his hands in everything.
	Anything that has to do with wheels or extreme, that's what Zeke is doing.
	So, 100%.
	Well, that's a big thing.
	This year, too, a very popular item are power wheels.
	But there's a problem with copyright infringement and being made overseas, but we don't need to get into that.
	I know there's Malachi, too.
	Malachi, you still like to draw.
	Are you still a big fan of...
	Is it...
	Sonic, I believe.
	That's the one you like a lot, right?
	Yes.
	And of course, Star Wars.
	I know all the boys there must love Star Wars.
	That's a big thing this year.
	Yeah.
	Yeah.
	He's older.
	That's right.
	And then I know that Elias, a little older, likes to ride dirt bikes, play Call of Duty, but Elias, let's not show Call of Duty to the little ones, all right?
	Yeah.
	No, it's not.
	It's a season for love and peace, not urban warfare.
	Tell us a little, Jeff and Sarah, about your family and what it's like to have four strapping and beautiful children.
	It's amazing.
	You know, we didn't really plan for this in the beginning.
	You never know how many kids you're going to have.
	Obviously, Sarah and I have talked about it and stuff.
	We ended up with these wonderful four children that all have amazing different personalities and goals and dreams and It's just a blessing just to watch them grow up into their own shells, basically.
	Oh, that's so true.
	You know, Santa, of course, loves children.
	And the most exciting thing is seeing children when they go from being babies and turning into little to young people.
	And you can see how they're all different, but they have different dreams and ambitions.
	And I would imagine having four is quite expensive.
	So, Evelyn, that's a good thing you like thrift shopping and antique stores.
	Yeah, she does love thrift shopping.
	Have you found anything good this year, Evelyn?
	I'd imagine at Christmas it's just a smorgasbord.
	Yeah, I found some pretty good things this year.
	What did you just find?
	I found a bear on Wednesday that goes for $510.
	A bear that goes for five?
	Did he perform in the Russian circus?
	Is it like a porcelain bear?
	It's a porcelain bear.
	Whoa, boy.
	Well, I bet that mom and dad are less concerned about your allowance hearing that.
	Yeah.
	I paid for it for 99 cents, so I get a little cut out of it.
	Well, sure, there's always a finder's fee.
	Mrs. Boz finds her way in there.
	Next thing you know, a new fur-lined dress.
	It's part of the deal.
	Zeke!
	So Zeke, I had heard a story that you actually are so into extreme sports.
	I remember that when you were only two, you may not remember this, you carried a skateboard up all the way up a slide and rode it down.
	Do you remember doing that?
	Yeah.
	You do?
	Boy, you know what they say about people who can remember back that far.
	That means you're very intelligent, but that's also an incredible risk.
	Our HR department would not allow that here.
	Were you scared going down that slide on a skateboard?
	That must have been very fast.
	Were you scared?
	No.
	No.
	Not even a little bit.
	Boy, I tell you, you know, Santa wasn't so brave when he was little.
	I was actually afraid to fly.
	Did you know that?
	No.
	No, Santa.
	That's why Santa had to feed the magic corn to the reindeer.
	I couldn't fly commercial.
	Let alone, I'm not getting on Spirit Airlines flying over Haiti this year.
	But I understand that you've all been very good this year, and your parents really wanted a special Christmas for you.
	So, look, this is sort of against the rule.
	We don't usually do this.
	And everything else, you have to promise you're going to wait until Christmas morning for your presents.
	Does everyone promise?
	I promise.
	You promise.
	No peeking, no shaking.
	Okay.
	Well, because, you know, one time here, I have Elf Joshua here.
	One time, he peaked.
	It was a year.
	He had a power pen.
	You may not remember these.
	And it ruined his whole Christmas.
	You ruined the surprise.
	Ruined.
	It was ruined.
	I had nothing to open on Christmas.
	I was so sad.
	Well, you opened it, but you knew what it was.
	And it just wasn't the same.
	No, it wasn't the same.
	No, you learned your lesson, though.
	He's still a good elf, so no peeking, no shaking, no annoying mom and dad, what do I get, what do I get?
	So if you promise that, we do have a surprise for you right now, or for each of you, I believe we have someone there who will bring them out.
	You get to open one special present today, because Santa, well, he's also busy on Christmas Day, so...
	And while they're doing that, Jeff, Sarah, is there anything that you wanted to highlight about your boys or girls before they enjoy their surprise?
	Yeah.
	You know, Evelyn is just so strong.
	You know our story.
	Yes.
	It's just amazing to see her grow up and be such an independent woman, but for everything that she's gone through, how strong and joyful she is over the years, and how much she can just put a smile on everybody's face when she walks into a room.
	She's just amazing.
	Ezekiel, of course, you know, my little danger boy.
	Yes.
	We have to worry about him sometimes when he's just outside doing his own thing.
	Evil could Ezekiel, they call him.
	He's got an amazing heart.
	He loves people.
	Just amazing how he's growing.
	Elias, my oldest boy, you know, he's in that age so it's a little awkward right now, but he's smart and he's learning things and he's figuring out stuff and he's kind and Generous and just an overall good person.
	You know, great to his friends.
	And I'm just proud of him as he's growing up as a man and he's helping out his family and even helping out his friends without even them asking.
	And that's amazing.
	And we got Mal stuck behind a present.
	But the creativity that he has and the strength and the gumption to just Do anything, despite anything that he has, you know, holding him back is truly amazing to see and it strengthens me, you know?
	Yes, do you hear that, Malachi and Evelyn?
	You know, sometimes we go through hard things and we don't know what's around the corner, but Hearing your story, I know a lot of people, you, have helped give other people strength and inspiration, and that's no small thing.
	You know, that's like a little bit of Christmas cheer all year round.
	I hope you know that with what you do.
	Yeah.
	And it really means a lot to your mom and dad.
	I know they're so proud of all of you, the way they spoke of you, just glowing.
	I hope you know how much mom and dad love you.
	Okay, it looks like everyone has their presence.
	Okay, you can each open your gift when Santa counts down from three.
	Are you ready?
	All right.
	I'm going to use the hand with the gloves, see, because this one can't operate the iPad, so this is more festive.
	Three, two...
	One.
	Go ahead.
	Merry Christmas to the whole family.
	Oh, this is the best part.
	There you go, Evelyn.
	I knew it was on your list.
	There's so many headphones to this year.
	Music.
	Zeke, what do you have there?
	A lot of headphones.
	Headphones?
	You got headphones, too.
	Well, look, you also know, Santa knows your list, so, you know, you continue being good.
	There's more where that came from on Christmas, everyone.
	Okay?
	Thank you.
	Thank you.
	Oh, you're welcome.
	We're so, so happy to be able to help out.
	And also, this isn't just for the children today.
	You know that Sarah actually told my elves something that Jeff wanted us to know.
	And I'd like I wanted to read it, if that's OK. Where you wrote, you said, if you could see the cards that hung on our walls of our coffee shop, you would be in tears.
	And of course, people know the story, and many people experienced something similar to what you went through.
	Never the exact same, but a lot of businesses suffered and families did.
	I know it was hard.
	Could you tell everyone here at the North Pole what these cards were, Sarah?
	Yes, they were...
	Cards from our community, just thanking my husband so much for the kind little things that he would do as people came in to get coffee and things.
	He would ask them about their day or who they were and their story and if they were new in town or if they were local.
	And he just got to know them and love on them.
	And depending on their situation, sometimes he would just give them coffee.
	He would give them a coffee gift card.
	He would...
	He used to make homemade Pop-Tarts, which were amazing.
	And he would put those in boxes and just give to people.
	And he just loved on our community and people well.
	And so they were full of thank yous from different people.
	And I hope the whole family knows that's the kind of man your dad is.
	You know, when things were tough for everyone there, he was still serving others.
	And, of course, I can guess from the names that you're all a family of believers there, and we're called as believers to be lovers of people first, and to serve others.
	And children, your father and your mother are great examples of that, and we really do appreciate it.
	Also, I'll want one of those homemade Pop-Tarts.
	Now that I know about it, 100%.
	Kroger cookies won't do.
	We'll do Pop-Tarts this year.
	Oh, I'm a big fan.
	It's just a little variety to spice things up.
	Now, because of all the good that you've done, the whole family of Jeff and Sarah actually sent as elves, needed some help from Sarah, your sister, Amanda, For this next part, because I know that you've been through a lot and some expenses, of course, have accrued over the last couple of years, so I believe that they're there.
	We do have a very special gift, one last gift from Mom and Dad.
	Can you help us there, Sarah's sister Amanda?
	This is where Santa has to make sure I have the timing down cold.
	There we go!
	There we go!
	Oh my goodness, thank you!
	It's a check to hopefully help ease some of the burden this year for Christmas for $10,000 to the family so you can do with it what you want because I know you helped so many other people during tough times and you've been through it yourself.
	So that's a token of our gratitude for what you've done.
	Thank you so much.
	That's unbelievably grateful.
	We're very happy to have families like you.
	Don't go spending it all in one place now.
	No, no, no.
	I can't do that with my elf Joshua here.
	One time he got a bonus, and boy, it was just candy canes.
	Well, that's sweet tooth.
	Which reminds me, please leave some candy canes for me as well.
	That's true, but...
	I'll take a Pop-Tart.
	But he had a stomachache for a good, almost a year, until next Christmas.
	So, just, you know...
	Spread it around.
	Make sure you're prudent with it.
	Jeff, Sarah, the whole family.
	I have to go help some other families here today, but I love you all very much, and I hope to be seeing you asleep on Christmas.
	Evelyn, Malachi, Elias, Zeke, Jeff, and Sarah, thank you so much, and I hope this helps you all have a little bit more of a Merry Christmas this year.
	It does.
	Thank you so much.
	We appreciate it.
	Well, God bless you.
	Bundle up there in Big Sky Country of Montana.
	a Merry Christmas!
	Ho, ho, ho, ho!
	Merry Christmas!
	Merry Christmas!
	Alex Jones here wishing the entire Mug Club family a very Merry, Blessed Christmas.
	Hi, it's Miranda Devine from the New York Post and wishing you all a very happy Mug Christmas.
	Merry Christmas, Mug Club.
	We've got a lot to celebrate this time around.
	What's up, Mug Club?
	Good to see you guys.
	Steven in the Mug Club, Merry Christmas.
	The commonality between you and me is that we both have mugs.
	Oh my God!
	How long were you in there?
	It's freezing!
	Ho, ho, ho!
	Merry Christmas!
	To Mug Club!
	I just want to wish a Merry Christmas and a happy Quonset to all you Mug Club members.
	I just want to wish Mug Club a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.
	Merry Christmas, Mug Club!
	Mug Club, yes!
	I remember you guys.
	Merry Christmas, Mug Club.
	To everyone watching, everyone from the Mug Club, Merry Christmas.
	Let's celebrate our families.
	My Christmas present that I'm most excited about is playing tickets for our adult kids to come visit us.
	The gift I'm most excited to give this year.
	And I want to pass on a Morello tradition to you all.
	Another purse!
	What's up with these women in Louis Vuitton person?
	Me and my dad, we wait until all six of my siblings sit down at the dinner table.
	And for the liberal ones, we give them a verbal beat down.
	It's great.
	I highly recommend you all do the same.
	Remind them that Donald Trump is going to be their president as well.
	It goes over really, really well.
	The gift I am most excited to give this Christmas, the gift of a fighting chance.
	And not just a fighting chance but having excitement again and turning the tide and the prospect of cutting back this out-of-control government.
	And you've got Crowder to get you through 2025.
	What more could you ask for?
	Hello, Joe.
	Hello, Joe.
	You know, Santa really, uh, he loves reindeer, but he also loves dogs.
	Oh, Joe Lewis!
	Joe Lewis!
	Go, go see Elf Joshua!
	Come here!
	Oh, you don't want those...
	If you don't want those reindeer ears, I don't know why it misses.
	Come on, Joe Lewis.
	Come over.
	Come over here.
	Go to Elf Joshua right here.
	He is scratching that jaw.
	He is scratching himself and large.
	Out of all the work we put in, that's what people will talk about.
	Joe Lewis, come!
	Come here, Joe.
	Come.
	There we go.
	There's the guy.
	There he goes.
	It's a zoomies in there.
	There he goes.
	What?
	Oh, I'm going to get you, Joe Louis.
	Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
	Come on.
	Joe Louis.
	I think there's a new snowman out there he wants to pee on.
	What?
	What?
	Oh!
	Oh, my!
	Whoa, whoa, okay, all right, all right.
	Too many candy canes from Joe Lewis.
	Okay, you can get out of here, Joe Lewis, all right.
	Cozy Pops!
	Boy, he got out of there quickly.
	He's going to tear up that workshop.
	Yes, he is.
	Oh, he's bigger than many of the elves.
	Yeah, he has better breath as well.
	We had to order about triple the elf-on-the-shelf inventory after Joe Lewis got through with them.
	Plus, you had the rogue elves.
	It was a massacre of highest proportions, but everyone was okay.
	It ended really well.
	Remember the elf-a-mo?
	Yes.
	What?
	Was that elvish?
	Can I hear it one more time?
	Remember the Elfamo.
	Great Battle of the Elfamo.
	And how do you say that in Elvish?
	Oh, okay, that's right, that's right.
	I need to brush up, you know.
	Well, this next organization, they actually do a lot of great...
	Everyone hears about the reindeer.
	They don't know the dogs who help things happen.
	We have seeing-eye dogs, we have snow dogs, we have guard dogs, you know.
	People, sometimes you get the riff-raff from the South Pole.
	And we have to make sure that we keep everything safe for the boys and girls of the world, but that's why we really want to take a moment to thank our friend Jack Carr for connecting us with an organization, Rescue 22. Now, they're a very special charity that specialize in providing service dogs To veterans with complex cases or perhaps some disabilities or just, you know, some scars that sometimes people deal with when they're out actually doing some good for this country.
	And as big fans of the dogs here at the North Pole, we actually wanted to do some good here, too, for man's best friend and the men who need them.
	Here's some looks at the work that Rescue 22 does.
	I was an active duty Navy SEAL for just short of a decade.
	There was such a huge demand for buddies of ours to get dogs to literally save their lives.
	So what we do at Rescue 22 is we take rescue dogs, select them, train them, and place them with veterans that are in need of mitigating a disability through the use of a service dog.
	I do have days where I'm just hurting.
	So to just have that help and the companionship and not be worried about disassociating and being alone and having a dog that's trained to kind of ground you when they start noticing that you're doing that.
	And if I'm able to get through a normal day or what I would like to consider normal, that would make life so much better.
	I'm so proud to support Rescue 22 because I've seen the difference that they make in veterans' lives and I've seen how they spend those donations.
	I've seen this organization change lives.
	And the work they do is truly incredible.
	These are really helpful service dogs that go to people who need them.
	We're not talking about comfort peacocks on United Airlines.
	These are real trained canines who do a lot of good and bring a smile to a lot of people and in need of just a little more joy, especially around Christmas.
	And we actually were fortunate enough here, the people at the North Pole, to speak with some folks involved at Rescue 22.
	Angela Conner, there's a co-founder, and she helped connect us with a man there named Zach Deshay.
	Actually, we will be sending a $5,000 donation to Rescue 22 to help Zach with his new service dog and that training.
	And he's, of course, a veteran and he's part of a leadership team.
	His own group, Project Savior Outdoors.
	He does some great work there.
	And he did want me to specify one thing, Zach.
	He wanted to make sure that you heard this from him.
	I have it written in front of me.
	If your identity is firmly planted in the truth that we are the image bearers of God and have been purchased for a price plucked out of darkness and have sonship...
	In the kingdom of God, that true identity is the basis for all healing, spiritual, mental, and physical.
	And please, if you do have just a little spare change in your pocket, or I think you can I believe Zell is a thing for those not at the North Pole.
	We pretty much just send ours by carrier pigeon, but there are a multitude of ways.
	If you go to rescue22foundation.org, donate this time of year, and it's a great organization where you can actually see The dog and the people who get them and the good that you do in a very tangible way.
	And we're so happy to watch that $5,000 here from all of you North Pole Premier members go to Atlas, the dog who we'll be serving by Zach's side.
	And here's just a little more of Rescue 22 and what they're all about this season.
	My name is Angela Connor.
	I'm one of the co-founders and I serve also as the CEO, CFO of our organization.
	I got to know the co-founders, John Devine and Eric Innes, really through the Working Dog community.
	John, who served as a Handler and SEAL teams and Eric and us who had been a handler in Ranger Regiment.
	We kind of got into this gap analysis and we found out there was a lot of reasons for there being veterans that were still not served by those existing organizations.
	Whether that be that their cases were so severe, both not just the mental health challenges, but the physical challenges.
	My name is Zach Grouchet.
	I'm a father of three, married to my high school sweetheart.
	I served in the military from 2009 to 2014. I love to train jiu-jitsu.
	I have a true heart for anybody who is out there who's struggling mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
	So, actually, this foundation, Project Saber Outdoors, I became a member of the group, and one of my brothers who was actually here, he actually received a dog from Rescue 22. I was talking to him.
	I was like, man, I just need something else.
	I need something else that can guide me, that can help me out, because For one, I'm diagnosed with OCD, with comorbid bipolarism and PTSD. It's a lot to juggle on just how to function just throughout the day.
	So I actually applied to Rescue 22 Foundation via online.
	And then I believe it was in like three weeks, they said they had a match for a dog for me already.
	And then as soon as they said that, I think all of us basically just started bawling on the Zoom call because it's that light, it's that hope.
	Zach really have thought about this, understanding that it's going to be a process even after he receives the dog, that they're going to have to really put the work in to learn each other as a team.
	I will talk about my wife quite a bit because she's an absolute saint.
	She's been like my backbone throughout this journey.
	She is abundantly overjoyed.
	She's absolutely a dog person.
	And she actually tears up when she sees Atlas because she knows she can see in the dog's eyes his personality already and how it's going to fit myself and my family.
	Whether your dog is a pet that isn't trained as a medical tool for you is a pick-me-up.
	I know on my worst day I walk in and that dog is happy to see you no matter what.
	It's a non-judgmental relationship.
	For a veteran, it's Much more than that.
	The dog is like their new battle buddy.
	The service dog can go with them anywhere.
	So this dog is going to work.
	They're going to the gym.
	They're on planes, trains, cruises, you name it.
	And I think it really takes them back to this relationship that just really works for them.
	They feel like they're part of a team again.
	There's this connection that is established.
	It's almost like a soul-to-soul connection.
	They can read you.
	They know how you're feeling.
	They're just abundantly full of He is a big goofball, just a big old face, just full of love.
	And as far as the videos that I have seen, I mean, I'm already in love.
	Zach's a pretty muscular guy, so he wants deep pressure therapy.
	Atlas, the lab, he's this big English lab, and he loves to kind of offer himself, you know, do that deep pressure support.
	Provide those interruptions in times where Zach's feeling a little anxious.
	There's a lot of different ways that you can help our organization.
	Number one is awareness.
	If you know somebody who is struggling, that's the number one thing.
	Say, you know, hey, we heard about Rescue 22 Foundation.
	Maybe it's something you should look into.
	If somebody would like to make a monetary donation, you can do so at our website, which is rescue22foundation.org.
	Any one of those things really helps us.
	Over the years, I've been able to develop the skills that I talked about, but also I learned another method in regards to my faith and hope in Jesus Christ and that there is true freedom that comes through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ.
	For those out there who do have any mental illness, physical ailments whatsoever, Just keep going.
	And if you are in that pit, that dark hole, and you are enduring the suffering, just know that there are bigger plans for you.
	And you will be able to change someone else's life in the future just by sharing your story and just by you becoming victorious.
	Okay, our next special guest.
	That was very nice.
	That's a lot of Christmas cheer to spread around.
	You know this is Santa's favorite time of year, even though sometimes it's easy to get stressed because, well, you know this elf Joshua that we basically make our entire nut in not only the fourth quarter, but two days.
	Yes, yes.
	And luckily, we have enough milk to last us for the other 11 months.
	That's true.
	Well, a lot of people don't know that reindeer provide great milk.
	Oh, polar milk, we call it.
	That's true.
	It is polar milk.
	And it doesn't have the A1 casein that a lot of people have an intolerance to, you know?
	Oh, no.
	But have you tried the skim reindeer milk?
	No, I'm not a...
	You think...
	Me neither, Santa.
	Does this look like...
	You're going to call me Mr. Skim?
	No, no.
	No, I tried the Slim Fast milk, but it didn't work.
	No, well, that's because you also added four tablespoons of sugar!
	Well, how are you supposed to have a peppermint hot cocoa Slim Fast?
	That's true.
	I'm confused by the advertising as well.
	Oh, I think we have actually, getting ready here, our next very special guest is Letitia B. And she is a wonderful mother of two beautiful children, Brooks and Collins, and she's had a very difficult last year or so, and Christmas was a little bit sadder, a little bit colder for her, and she's made some progress, so we just wanted to help make this year that much brighter.
	Please take a moment to be grateful for the things you have and listen to Letitia B.'s story.
	This is my late husband, Blake.
	He was in the United States Air Force and he passed away on May 11, 2023 while he was stationed in Washington, D.C. We share two children and our son, Brooks.
	He is four and we have a daughter named Collins.
	She was actually only about five and a half weeks old at the time of Blake's passing.
	The children and I, after Blake passed, we moved to Texas to live with my parents.
	And the children and I are getting accustomed to living by ourselves.
	And it's going to be our first Christmas season since he passed away that we're going to be waking up Christmas morning, just the three of us.
	I would love to make this Christmas as special as possible for the children because they've had a very tough past few years.
	And at this time, I'd like to just go and introduce you to them.
	This is Brooks.
	He's four years old.
	Can you say hi, buddy?
	And this is Collins.
	There's no one else, you know, since my husband's not here, you can't, like, you don't want to, like, tap out and be like, oh, now I'm home from work.
	And, you know, you get a little break.
	So it's just a little challenging in that way sometimes.
	We lived on the duty station.
	It was Joint Base Anacostia Bowling.
	And it was just a normal day.
	And when I returned home, I actually found that he had taken his own life.
	You know, he had a very, very stressful job.
	He obviously was dealing with a mental health issue that he didn't tell anyone about.
	And then, for whatever reason, something in him just decided to do what he did that day.
	It's still just very shocking.
	Like, I still think back and think, wow, like, I can't believe how much our life has changed.
	Just deserve to have something really happy and exciting.
	Because there's been so many changes in their lives.
	And, of course, it's hard for anyone to imagine, if you've never been through it, how difficult that is.
	And we here at the North Pole know that we can't fill that void, but we can do our best to just try and give people a little wind In their sales, and yesterday, actually, Santa sent some elves just to start the process of beginning more Christmas cheer.
	They went over to set up some very special outdoor playthings for the little ones there at Letitia's.
	teaches new digs.
	Is that Brooks and Collins?
	Hey Brooks!
	What's up dude?
	Check it out!
	How cool is this?
	Making it so bad.
	I saw a smile.
	Oh yeah!
	High five dude.
	Let's go.
	Whoa!
	Let's go!
	Let me see the muscles.
	Let me see the muscles.
	Yeah!
	And look, it's a bed.
	It's like this is the coolest spot.
	That is the coolest spot.
	That's the coolest spot for sure.
	That's where you have lunch and you leave some cookies and milk for Santa.
	What do you think?
	Oh!
	Whoa!
	Oh my gosh!
	- That's so cool! - Help me! - Whoa! - I got in my box! - Whoa, trampoline! - Well, secret's out. - I'm taking away!
	Wow!
	Thank you, Santa!
	Listen, you're not going to be able to open it, baby.
	You've got to have really, really strong muscles for that.
	A lot of milk and cookies there.
	Oh, you're welcome!
	Merry Christmas!
	It's so good seeing the children playing outside, getting fresh air, you know.
	You and I were talking about that handy elf, tool elf there, that some of the kids are always married to the screen these days.
	Yeah, gotta get off the screen, get outside.
	That's right, and it's really good too for the mind and for your mood, and I remember it was a very sad day for Elf Joshua when you realized you were above the weight limit to those...
	Playgrounds.
	Yes, yes, because I wanted to get on it.
	It reminded me of when I was a young elf, and we had a slide in our North Pole yard, but it was all made of metal.
	That's right.
	It was very hot.
	And we put it right over a slab of concrete.
	But we get with the times, and you know, you just improve inch by inch, and he's great to have around.
	He's a big kid.
	Elf Joshua, and it helps us keep our eye on the Christmas bags.
	So let's go now.
	I believe we have them.
	Let's meet Letitia and her family with Brooks, little Brooks Four, and Collins, beautiful Collins.
	Let's go meet them.
	Oh, oh, oh, hello!
	There's lovely Letitia, Mom, and Brooks, and little Collins.
	Oh, I can see the whole family there.
	Oh, Merry Christmas!
	Oh, hi, Brooks.
	Brooks, nice to see you.
	How, I understand, Brooks, you're, are you this many now?
	You're four years old?
	That's a fun age.
	And Letitia, thank you so much.
	I don't know if you know Brooks.
	Your mom reached out to Santa here at the North Pole and said she wanted to make it a very special Christmas for you and Collins, the whole family.
	Did you tell your mom thank you?
	Well, he might be the strong and silent type.
	And...
	He can be a little shy.
	Who do we have there with Collins right next to you?
	I'm looking at a small screen because it's the North Pole.
	This is Colin Stone, this is Nana, and I'm Nana.
	Oh, Nana, how could I forget?
	Nice to see you.
	You know, I wouldn't have guessed because you look like you could be sisters.
	Thank you, Santa.
	Yes, Santa nails it.
	Let me ask you...
	And Leticia, can you tell us a little bit about, a little more about your, and why you wanted to make this such a special Christmas?
	Tell us about Brooks and Collins and Nana and what you've been doing.
	So, as Santa may already know, but we had a little bit of a heartbreaking story because my husband and Brooks and Collins' dad passed away in 2023. And after that happened, we went to live with Nana and Granddad, huh?
	And then, this year, we were able to go ahead and buy our own house.
	And we do, thankfully, live very close to Nana and Granddad, so we spend a lot of time with them.
	But it's going to be our first Christmas waking up just to bring us in our new home.
	It's going to be extra special because it's been a little bit sad with our creeps.
	They say, yeah, yeah.
	Woo!
	Awesome!
	What's up?
	Well, Brooks, I get it.
	You're excited.
	And Collins, I can see.
	I know you're sitting there, and it's a lot.
	You're all dressed up.
	Let me, Brooks, because I know you're probably getting anxious there, little guy.
	Do you still love Thomas?
	Thomas and Friends?
	Is that still big?
	Yeah.
	What are the names of Thomas's friends?
	What are his other friends?
	Can you name some of them for me?
	That's right.
	I remember Percy.
	Well, you know, I have my elf Joshua here and for a long time we didn't have, you know, he's very old.
	We didn't have air travel.
	It was all by train.
	Yes, I remember having to make my own tracks.
	That's true.
	Well, we have lots of elves, but...
	And Collins, I know she's...
	Collins, I know you're young, but boy, you are just as precious as can be.
	Oh, thank you.
	Thank you.
	You look...
	Hi, Collins.
	Merry Christmas.
	You still...
	You still...
	Collins, do you still like Minnie Mouse?
	Yes.
	Minnie?
	Yes.
	That's right.
	You're being a little shy over there.
	Oh, that's okay.
	You know, I would take shy over too rambunctious, so you can...
	It's easier to handle...
	Santa makes sure every good boy and girl gets a present, and I've been doing this for a long time.
	This is not Santa's first rodeo, so if you...
	Have you been good, Brooks?
	And Mommy will answer.
	Yes?
	Do you help mommy around the house?
	Do you behave when she asks you for things?
	Oh, well, I think that's part of the deal.
	I know.
	I'll take your word for it that he does it pretty well.
	And I heard you listing off your toys again.
	You mentioned Thomas the Train.
	You like Thomas toys.
	I heard Monster...
	Oh, that's a lot of special toys.
	And he also likes Thomas.
	Heart wheel city!
	How do you know what my time is?
	So, I'm glad you chose to watch this.
	I'm glad you chose to watch this.
	I'm glad you chose to watch this.
	Okay, I hear about 20% of that, but I heard Hot Wheel City.
	I heard Minecraft.
	I heard Monster Truck.
	And you know, these toys, they've changed quite a bit from when Joshua the Elf here, Elf Joshua, was actually the best boy in the whole world.
	and so we knighted him to elft him.
	That's right.
	What was that, Brooks?
	Someone got the blue, my favorite color.
	He said green is his favorite color.
	Oh, okay.
	Josh, what was the hot ticket item when you were Brooks' age?
	Oh, I remember my first skit from you, Santa.
	It was a kaleidoscope.
	Oh, that's right.
	The kaleidoscope.
	We had to have a surgery because my eyes got stuck like this.
	That's right.
	That's right.
	That was early virtual reality and you're still nearsighted.
	Yes, yes.
	I have to wear my glasses sometimes, but it makes me look old.
	Santa warned you about that, but you got the LASIK, you know.
	We have good technology in the North Pole.
	It's a common misconception.
	Well, Brooks and Collins.
	So if you've been good enough, look, this is a little bit different because the rest of your presents are going to be delivered on Christmas.
	But your mom asked if you could open one special gift, one special present today.
	Would you like to do that?
	Oh, no!
	One special present for each of you today.
	There you go.
	- Brooks, Merry Christmas!
	Can you show it?
	There you go.
	Hot Wheel City!
	Well, I'm so glad.
	And again, there will be more presents on Christmas, but you still have to be good to Mommy and to Nana.
	You promise?
	Yes, okay.
	I guess they're all pretty nice.
	And Collins, we have something there for you.
	Nana has it right next to you there.
	This is for little...
	Nana, I think you might need to help her.
	She doesn't have the fine motor skills yet.
	Okay.
	- And now it's gonna help you.
	- Oh, that's a Mickey Mouse! - It's a Mickey Mouse! - He's observed! - Oh, yeah! - Mickey's like a mouse.
	Oh, gives it a big hug.
	Oh, that warms Santa's heart.
	She's bigger than you.
	She's in a whole new weight class.
	Can you tell Santa?
	Thank you.
	Can you say thank you?
	No, I know.
	I will do it.
	It's a beautiful one.
	Oh, okay.
	That's okay.
	Thank you.
	You're welcome, Collins and Brooks.
	And you know what?
	There's actually one more surprise for you because your mom reached out to Santa here and helped us all out and wanted to make this such a special holiday that actually Nana helped us with this right here for Letitia, for mom.
	If you could bring this out for mom.
	Oh, good!
	You have it wrapped right there.
	Uh-huh.
	And then it says for here.
	Okay.
	Here we go, Al.
	Well, you know, we do have the best in the business.
	I don't want to brag.
	Okay.
	Sorry, Santa.
	Taking a little time here.
	I'll get the feedback to the elves.
	They're being a little too close to the vest with the wrapping, but they're perfectionists.
	It is a Disney cruise for the whole family for four.
	The whole family are all going to be going on a very special Disney cruise.
	Oh!
	This is...
	Santa thrives in the chaos.
	I work on Christmas Eve.
	So we're used to it.
	I know how...
	And this is just because I know how difficult it's been and how much you've been through.
	And we're so happy to see the progress you've been making.
	And Nana helping out, Letitia, seeing families come together, which is really what...
	You know, this is so important.
	We lose sight this time of year.
	And I know that your story is inspiring to so many people.
	So we wanted you to really have some time to go and take a load off and do something special with the family and make some memories for future Christmases.
	Well, thank you.
	Thank you so much.
	Thank you for bringing some special Christmas magic back to us.
	Well, you've brought plenty of Christmas magic to everyone else, and I think that Brooks needs to bring some Christmas magic to the house with those Hot Wheels.
	I can see that he's getting antsy, so thank you all so very much, and please...
	The whole family, Nana, Collins, Brooks, Letitia, I hope to see you Christmas Eve sleeping now.
	And a very Merry Christmas to all of you.
	Merry Christmas!
	Thank you!
	Bye!
	Merry Christmas, everyone!
	Bye.
	My favorite Christmas movie scene.
	My favorite Christmas movie is definitely...
	Oh, that's a hard one.
	I love Elf.
	What was your favorite Christmas movie scene?
	The plastic ranch in the 60s or 70s, whatever it was.
	You're a bad boy, Mr. Grinch.
	My favorite Christmas movie scene.
	But it's gotta be It's a Wonderful Life.
	The end of It's a Wonderful Life.
	It's a Wonderful Life.
	And that end scene, that is so Americana.
	When he comes back and he's realized how much he loves his family.
	It's a great, great moment full of warmth.
	And he's running through the outside with the fake snow.
	And the guy that's lost everything basically gains it all back at the end.
	And we beat the bankers.
	We beat the Federal Reserve.
	Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
	That's not even open for debate at this point.
	Yippee-ki-yay.
	My favorite Christmas movie of all time is Die Hard.
	Like, is there any other movie scene in Christmas that matters?
	That's been debated for decades whether or not that is a Christmas movie.
	I don't watch movies, and when I tried saying that to your producer, he told me that my assignment is now to watch Die Hard.
	It is based around Christmas, and I gotta go with it.
	And meanwhile, My family goes to a movie every Christmas.
	My favorite movie Christmas scene is from The Family Man, a movie from the year 2000. Nicolas Cage's character shares a heartfelt moment with his daughter who tells him she knows he's different but loves him anyway.
	In that instant, he realizes that life without a family is empty and meaningless.
	such a rare and powerful message.
	And honestly, I don't think Hollywood would make a movie like that today.
	Oh, that's...
	It's always the best part, getting to see their faces and bringing a little joy...
	That's why staying in this business certainly isn't for the scale pay.
	Now, each year, actually, you know, Santa likes to highlight a special child who's making a real impact on their community, because that's really the biggest thing we can all do for Christmas, is help serve others and make our community a better place.
	Isn't that right?
	Yes, absolutely.
	And how do you do it, Elf Gerald?
	Well, I just try to be a good CEO. That's right.
	That's right.
	Even elves need a CEO. That's right.
	He does some number crunching and you bring cheer everywhere you go.
	Yes, well, I like to play and I also like to bake.
	Make lots of cookies.
	That's true.
	You do.
	Half the North Pole staff can blame him for their diabetes.
	Right.
	And we're always down on toy production because of that.
	That's true.
	Well, we always make it up.
	And the good news is, don't be concerned that actually elves have a genetic enzyme that makes them immune to the Sugarfoot.
	Really?
	It's not a concern, and everyone's doing A-OK. So last year, when we were highlighting a child who helped his community, it was Chandler Gibson from Georgia who actually saved a classmate from choking by performing the Heimlich.
	You remember that?
	Yeah.
	I remember who it's named after.
	And this year...
	We actually have another very special boy.
	This is a nine-year-old boy named Branson from Oklahoma who really did.
	He became a real-life hero to his family.
	Let's listen to his story.
	Nine-year-old boy's heroic actions helped first responders save his parents after they were caught in what was an EF4 tornado.
	Nine-year-old Branson and his family were headed to shelter at a friend's house when the tornado touched down in Dixon.
	The tornado threw the family into a pile of trees.
	The parents trapped, but their nine-year-old son Branson was miraculously not hurt and was able to get out of the car and run to get help.
	He probably made a mile in 10 minutes.
	And that's pretty impressive for a little kid.
	Branson ended up finding enough people to rescue his parents.
	Branson sprung into action really quick.
	He's a very courageous son.
	For a nine-year-old boy, Not many adults would have done what he did.
	I was really, really scared.
	He couldn't be more proud to be a father of a son that can accept a challenge that way.
	Shows that he would go above and beyond for anyone.
	I just want to save my mom and dad.
	That Jesus, he was with me.
	Both of us broke our neck and our back.
	I had a lactation from here all the way to the back of my head.
	I almost lost my eyesight because it's like right there by my eye.
	But thank God I did not.
	I broke my jaw.
	I had a collapsed lung, broke my hip, broke both my shoulders and my hand.
	My husband broke his sternum, his neck and his back, and then he had some gashes on his head as well.
	We were in a neck and back brace for six weeks.
	It's been a journey.
	He was recognized by the Carter County Sheriff.
	He got recognized from the U.S. Capitol.
	They flew a flag.
	Over the U.S. Capitol in Branson's honor and they sent that to him in a shadow box folded and with a certificate.
	Mark Wayne Mullen, the state senator, And a couple other people at the U.S. Capitol offices, they all gave him like little tokens.
	And he had a plaque made.
	A friend of ours made a plaque for him that says, you're an amazing hero.
	And he's a very loving soul.
	He's very kind.
	He doesn't get too worked up over anything.
	He's a straight-A student.
	He's gotten citizenship awards at school the last three years.
	He takes a lot of pride in getting his straight-A's at school, so he's a smart little boy.
	He's a very good little boy.
	Ho, ho, ho.
	Like I said, a real-life hero.
	Yeah, a ten-minute mile would make him the fastest elf in the world.
	I was going to say.
	Yeah.
	With our little legs, we can't run that fast.
	That's true, that's true.
	Once you get knighted in the elf tomb.
	And what a haircut!
	Yeah.
	Oh, it's amazing.
	I wish an elf could grow a hair like that.
	I will.
	That's the thing, your hair stops growing, which is, you know, it's kind of, you have pros and cons to no longer aging, but you also have a little less.
	The nose hair doesn't keep growing, so you can thank your lucky North Star for that.
	And it looks like a cool baseball haircut.
	That's true.
	Or really, for Santa, you know, back in the day, the...
	The hockey, that's pretty big in the North Pole.
	We have ice everywhere.
	So let's actually, I believe we have him on the line and his whole family.
	Let's welcome Branson and the entire family in Oklahoma.
	Oh, I can see the whole family right there.
	You have Branson and Mom and Dad, Lindy and Wayne and Bristol, the entire Baker family.
	Oh, Merry Christmas, everyone!
	Merry Christmas!
	And Branson, we learned about your story.
	I know that you actually helped Mom and Dad so much that they could have a season this year.
	You're quite a hero around there in Oklahoma.
	Thank you.
	Absolutely.
	Were you scared at that moment when you were going to get help?
	Or were you just thinking, I don't have time to worry about this.
	I have to make sure to help mom and dad because a lot of people wouldn't be so brave in your shoes.
	Yeah.
	Yes, I know.
	I know you're about that age of one-word answers.
	I think, Branson, Branson, you're nine, if I remember correctly now, right?
	That's right.
	Nine years old.
	Oh, that's a fun age, Mom and Dad, isn't it?
	It sure is.
	This one's fun, too.
	Oh, yes.
	Well, I can see right there, that's Bristol.
	I know Bristol is, I think, getting just into those first teenage years, so that can go either way.
	Yep.
	But, Bristol, are you still being a good older sister to Branson and helping out Mom and Dad?
	Yeah, I think so.
	Yeah.
	She's doing a great job.
	Okay.
	Well, it's the report card that comes from mom and dad that matters most.
	And Branson, I know that even though that's not normal for a lot of young little boys to do, that's really extraordinary, but you still like some things that young boys do.
	I know you're still a big sports fan, particularly things like baseball cards.
	Is that still a big thing for you?
	Yeah.
	Yeah?
	And who's your favorite baseball player, Branson?
	I would say probably Nolan Ryan or Mickey Mantle.
	Nolan Ryan or Mickey Mantle.
	You know, I have Elf Joshua here.
	He actually is the biggest baseball fan I know.
	That's true.
	That's true.
	And being a bigger elf, I'm a fan of the San Francisco Giants.
	Really?
	I know you're more of a Red Sox guy, but that's the whole color thing.
	But those are good, Nolan Ryan.
	Oh, that's definitely because you're from Oklahoma.
	That's right.
	And you know who's from there?
	Mickey Mantle.
	That's true.
	That's true.
	Branson, is your sister, is she still really into makeup and doing things with her skin and lotion and dressing up?
	Yeah.
	Yeah.
	That's probably quite a bit different from what you're into, I would imagine.
	Imagine you make a mess and she likes to clean it up.
	Yeah.
	And mom and dad, I've got to say, you're both looking really, really quite well, Lindy and Wayne, because when we watch some of the video, I know that those could be some life-changing injuries.
	It looks like you're really making a go of it, gaining some momentum in the right direction.
	Yes, we've recovered well.
	That's wonderful.
	And I'm sure you have a great son to help you with that.
	It's so wonderful to see a family that's all together this time of year.
	Branson?
	Yeah?
	I know you want some baseball cards, but a big ticket item for this year's Christmas?
	Is it still that PlayStation 5?
	Yeah.
	Yeah?
	I know that's a popular item this year.
	You know, that's also expensive and hard to come by, you know, those PS5s.
	I'm sure you know that, right?
	Yes.
	Yes, and you know, here's the thing.
	Usually I ask, you know, have you been a good boy, a good girl this year?
	At this point, it would really be redundant because you saved your parents' lives!
	That's right.
	That counts for all the good deeds this year.
	You'd have to be mighty naughty to be looking at a lump of coal, and I don't think that we're seeing any of that.
	And Bristol, I know you wanted things like still a vanity mirror and some fun sort of makeup.
	You're at that age.
	Makeup.
	Things from Sephora, right?
	Yeah.
	Look, I'm sort of bending the rules here a little bit, Branson and Bristol, but because your parents were so proud of you, we worked this out, they reached out to Santa, and the rest of your gifts will be coming on Christmas morning, if you promise no peeking, but you get to open one special gift today.
	Would you like to do that, Branson?
	Yes.
	Yes?
	Okay.
	Alright, Branson and Bristol, we're going to have, actually, them be brought in right now from Santa's Helper.
	We have a couple of presents for you.
	I believe...
	Santa's Helper!
	Let's go.
	Branson, right now, I'm going to count down from three, and you promise no peeking at your other gifts before Christmas, right?
	Yes.
	Okay, as long as you, and I know you'll keep your word, I have my eye on you, and I know you're a good boy, I'm going to count down from three, Santa will, and you can both open up your presents.
	All right, are you ready?
	Three, two, one.
	Merry early Christmas to both of you.
	Crystal and Branson.
	Oh, wow.
	It's a new recipe.
	Wow.
	Look at that.
	Nice.
	Look at that.
	What is it?
	There you go.
	I have brushes too.
	Pick it up.
	Let's see what you got, Branson.
	Three is five.
	There you go.
	There you go.
	Oh, absolutely, Branson.
	You've earned every, every little bit of that PS5, and I'm so proud of you for what you've done.
	You know, this is the best part, is I get to see them open their presents.
	Often Santa has to watch it from a little magic snow globe, but right now I have you on a big screen.
	And I'm willing to bet, though Santa's not a betting man, it's actually outlawed at the North Pole.
	It's an expression, you know.
	I'm willing to bet that one of the first games on that PS5 could be baseball of some kind.
	Am I right, Branson?
	Yeah.
	Well, there could be worse games, believe you me, Mom and Dad.
	Baseball is, let's run with that as long as we can.
	For sure.
	Branson, did you have anything you wanted to ask regarding Santa at the North Pole?
	How many elves are there?
	Oh, boy, that's a good question.
	And I actually have Joshua the Elf, Elf Joshua, right here with me.
	Elf Joshua, how many are we up to right now?
	I think it's about 4,712.
	That sounds about right.
	Except he forgot to carry the one, so it's actually 400,000 or so in the North Pole.
	But you know, Santa, a lot of them, some of these elves are not all the same.
	Only Santa can actually understand some of their language.
	So those are the ones really high up who help build some of the toys at the North Pole.
	And you're fluent in English and Elfian.
	Well, it's been a long time since I studied, but that explains my math.
	Oh, come on.
	We're not talking from a textbook.
	I'll give you a little sample.
	And Santa can hear that clear as a bell.
	So we have a lot of elves.
	And we do some licensing, too.
	We're able to get everything done before Christmas night.
	And it's just wonderful.
	Did you have another question?
	No.
	No?
	Just how many elves?
	I can see you're a numbers guy.
	Baseball is a sport for you.
	And mom and dad, Jake and Lindy, we actually have for raising such wonderful children.
	Actually, Lindy, your friend Ashley has another special gift that I believe she's there.
	She'll be bringing in to you to help you in your ongoing recovery for the family.
	Ashley, can we bring this in?
	For the whole family here.
	There you go.
	It's wrapped up and so Santa has to buy time while you do it because it's an expert wrapping job.
	Oh my gosh!
	Oh, thank you, Santa!
	For $10,000 to help you and your family, I know that you've had a lot of hiccups and roadblocks and have been through a lot, and this is hopefully just to help you make it a little that much easier and special this Christmas year.
	It'll definitely help.
	Thank you very much.
	Thank you.
	Absolutely.
	Thank you.
	And everyone there, I know you have more presents.
	There's plenty more where that came from.
	If you're good, Bristol, Branson, before Christmas.
	But I'm so happy to see you.
	And Branson, we're all so proud of you.
	The whole country, not just Oklahoma, the United States, and everyone at the North Pole is really happy to know that there are boys like you around.
	So thank you.
	Thank you.
	Thank you.
	Absolutely.
	Thank you so much, everyone, to the entire Baker family.
	I'll see you Christmas Eve, sleeping.
	Merry Christmas from the North Pole.
	Thank you.
	Merry Christmas.
	Merry Christmas.
	So, thank you so much, Mug Club.
	You are amazing.
	Thank you for keeping independent journalism alive, of course, because none of this would be possible without you.
	Big time message to Mug Club audience is this.
	We're the media now.
	Merry Christmas.
	Merry Christmas, mug club.
	You're always bringing the diesel, getting the truth out there, and we appreciate it.
	Have a great Christmas.
	Merry Christmas to the mug club.
	Merry Christmas to you!
	Merry Christmas.
	Wishing you all again a very happy Monday Christmas.
	Let's celebrate our families and take a moment to thank our Lord Jesus Christ for coming into the world and bringing his light to all of us.
	God bless.
	And here's to an amazing new year.
	Now, this next family is one sometimes here when people reach out.
	There are stories that just break your heart at the same time are inspiring because there are a lot of people who are having some difficulty in making their Christmas magic happen.
	And sometimes just seeing how they pull through helps us all to be a little more grateful and to create a little Christmas magic ourselves.
	This next family is Sergio and Sharla, and they have seven children who they're homeschooling.
	Elf Joshua, that's a full-time job.
	That must be hard.
	It's easy for me to homeschool my children, because they're all toys.
	That's right.
	Fred, Charmstrong, and Jack in the Box, of course.
	That's true, and you are very detailed.
	He's both the teacher, the principal, and the superintendent, and every now and then we'll put him on the couch to make sure he doesn't take it too seriously.
	But this next family, Sergio and Sharla, well, Sergio is actually a cancer survivor, a Marine Corps veteran who served his country In Iraq, and he was actually described by our friends at the One Tribe Foundation, who helped us find some families in need this year, as a great father.
	And the children have been described by them as the best behaved kids you've ever seen.
	And I will say Santa has checked in on his old crystal snow globe and can confirm.
	Let's meet the family, Sergio, Sharla, and all seven children.
	Hi, so I'm Sharla.
	This is my husband, Sergio.
	We have seven beautiful children that we love dearly, but it hasn't been, you know, the smoothest ride.
	Sergio is a Marine Corps veteran.
	He served in the Marines for six years.
	I got deployed around 2004. I was blown up, ran over mines two different occasions, thankfully okay, and then I got exposed to the burn pits.
	I started getting really sick, just a whole bunch of crazy symptoms.
	Doctors couldn't figure out what was going on with me.
	And that's when we officially got a diagnosis.
	Later on, the cancer was in my kidney.
	It was on my lymph nodes, my chest wall cavity.
	Later on, it spread to my liver.
	We end up getting on chemo immediately.
	It's just a real traumatic experience for our family.
	The baby was born, which was great.
	Then she ended up getting sick.
	She had been having seizures.
	We just didn't know what it was.
	Then just recently, we finally got a diagnosis for her, and it's epilepsy.
	The kids help so much.
	All the kids have been helping so much.
	They've been such a blessing.
	And stepping up to the plate, they've been real warriors with that.
	Sergio's not working right now, and so, you know, with me being a stay-at-home mom, it's just, it's really tight.
	But, you know, we have a lot of faith.
	God has been really good to us.
	Sergio is such a strong man.
	He's the strongest man I know.
	He has been through so much in his life and he keeps fighting.
	And I'm so grateful to even be a part of his journey and just to see him and walk through this with him.
	And we're just grateful that we can be together and to get through this as best as we can.
	Wow, what a story and what great people.
	Let's actually bring on, I believe we have them on the line, Olivia, Rosie, Simeon, Ileana, Elias, Zoe, Sergio Jr., and of course, Mom and Dad, Sergio and Sharla.
	Let's go talk to the fam!
	Oh, oh, oh!
	Merry Christmas!
	Oh, boy, I'm looking at the whole family here.
	I want to make sure there's...
	I can see Mom and Dad.
	That's Sergio right there and Sharla.
	And then, okay, hold on.
	Mom, Dad, hello.
	Merry Christmas.
	Hello.
	Merry Christmas.
	Okay, now don't tell me.
	I know you have seven children.
	Hey, children, do you think Santa can remember all your names?
	Yeah.
	Oh boy, okay.
	There wasn't a doubt for a second.
	There's some pressure.
	Okay.
	Now, I might be going, you know, in reverse because I'm looking on a screen.
	Let me see.
	I see right there.
	Okay, I'll go from the youngest.
	I can see that's Olivia, right?
	Olivia's around 10 months right there.
	Yes, I can see.
	Then we have little Rosie.
	Say hi, Rosie.
	Let me say hi.
	Hi, Rosie.
	Oh, beautiful Rosie.
	Then we have...
	Ah, there's Simeon.
	Hi, Simeon.
	Hi, Santa.
	Hi, look.
	Oh, look at those...
	Look at that big head of curly hair.
	You know, I don't know if you know this, but Santa, I still...
	You know, I still...
	I'll take it because I'm all white, but...
	You know, it's thinning a little bit, so Santa's jealous.
	You've got a big head of hair, Simeon.
	Handsome young boy.
	Then we've got...
	Ileana.
	Hi, Ileana.
	Hi.
	Hi.
	Merry Christmas, sweetheart.
	Oh, look at that little, that braid.
	Is that your own, that's your own braid?
	That's a real braid?
	Yes.
	Good job.
	Can you give Santa, can you give a little, just a gentle tug on your braid to show everyone?
	Woo!
	That's like, you know, when children sit on Santa's lap, they ask to pull his beard, you know, to make sure that it's real.
	It's a little shorter this year because I've been grooming a little more.
	Now, I know right next to you, but right there...
	Oh, that's Elias.
	Hi, Elias.
	Merry Christmas.
	Merry Christmas.
	Oh, look at that.
	You're getting so tall, Elias.
	He shot up, Mom and Dad, just one year, huh?
	He did.
	He definitely did.
	He did.
	Boy, he's getting tall.
	And then there's, of course, I can see Zoe.
	Merry Christmas, Zoe.
	Merry Christmas.
	Hi.
	Oh, you and your sister, there's no doubt.
	You two are sisters.
	This whole family, there's such a resemblance.
	And then, of course, there's the young buck, but the next man of the household, Sergio Jr. Sergio, Merry Christmas.
	Thank you, Santa.
	Oh, absolutely.
	And you and your father share the same namesake.
	You know, that's a very special thing.
	You carry a big responsibility, you know that?
	Yeah.
	And Pops, Sergio Sr., is he carrying that name well?
	Yes.
	Yes, Junior, I know you may not know this, but sometimes you're at that age where you're too cool to know it, but your father's very proud of you.
	He talks about what a great young man you are in that house and how much you're helping, and him and your mother love you dearly.
	I hope you know that.
	Thank you.
	So polite!
	You see that, Elf Joshua?
	That's true.
	You know, I don't know if you can see, but Elf Joshua is here.
	He's my head elf, and he was actually a little...
	He was a boy, and he was the best boy that we had ever seen, and he was the most polite boy, and so he was knighted into elfdom.
	That's right.
	That's right.
	And I actually helped create a couple songs that you might still sing today.
	Oh, really?
	That's right.
	Yes, you might know this one.
	That's right.
	Oh, hold on.
	He's actually singing in Alefish.
	I don't know if you know that.
	Yes.
	Elves speak different languages, not just English.
	So it's actually sometimes a little chaotic here at the North Pole.
	Now, let me go through.
	Now, Sergio and Charlotte, what made you reach out to Santa with this huge family?
	Tell us a little bit more about your story and your children and wanting to make it a special Christmas this year.
	Go ahead.
	Go ahead.
	Well, just going through everything we've been through with cancer and The whole journey.
	They've sacrificed a lot, the kids.
	They haven't been able to really get out as much, play sports.
	Just really help support the family.
	My wife has been homeschooling and just trying to support them.
	We've had a lot of prayers and support as well.
	We just want to show the kids appreciation and let them know that God loves them.
	We want to just appreciate them and let them know they're not forgotten.
	No, no, they're never forgotten, and nor are you, Sergio and Charlotte.
	None of you are forgotten.
	We've seen what you've been doing, and you've really warmed our hearts.
	And Charlotte, I mean, homeschooling, you know, I have to worry about billions of children across the world, but I don't have to be there every day schooling them.
	That must be quite a challenge, but I'd imagine rewarding, yes?
	It is.
	We have our challenges, but it's definitely rewarding, so lots of fun.
	And all you, the boys and girls, do you give your mom an easy time with the homeschooling?
	You don't talk back?
	Do you behave well?
	Yes.
	For the most part.
	And let me...
	Yeah.
	Charlotte, is there something, anything right now?
	Because I still have my naughty nice list right here.
	Is there something you want me to...
	Uh-oh.
	No, I know.
	They're all pretty nice, but kids can get rambunctious, I know.
	Hey, while I have you there, I do have a surprise for all of you.
	Does anyone, such a big family, have any questions that you'd like to ask Santa while I'm here with you?
	Does anybody want to ask Santa questions?
	Any questions, Simeon?
	You want to ask him anything?
	You want to ask him anything?
	Okay, we don't ask him.
	Go ahead.
	Did you put a space puzzle inside my present?
	Did Santa put a space puzzle inside your present?
	Yeah.
	Oh, do you mean last year?
	I'm talking about once Christmas.
	Well, Christmas, those are two different questions, but to the latter, Christmas is the same day every...
	It's the 25th, right?
	That's when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
	As for the space puzzle, what do you think?
	You think I put one in there?
	Well...
	I don't know if you know, Santa's a man of mystery, and maybe Mom and Dad, we know the answer, but that's what I'll keep close to the vest.
	But, Ike, I can see anyone else have any questions about how things work here at the North Pole or Christmas night?
	I always get tons of questions.
	I'm here to answer them.
	I don't think so.
	No!
	Is there...
	Go ahead.
	Is there anything else that I missed that you want for Christmas or something there that you're thinking about or you have in your mind?
	I think so, no.
	I do want a farm animal toy set.
	You already have a farm animal toy set.
	Sit down.
	A farm animal toy set.
	Okay, well, I can write that down and keep some mental notes, but all right, for all the children, I actually do have, and I spoke with Sergio Sr. and your mom there, and we agreed the rest of the presents will be on Christmas morning, but since you've all been such good boys and girls helping your family out, that you can open up one special present today.
	Does that sound good?
	Yeah.
	Yes.
	The full head of hair, he thinks it's funny.
	I just see a big head of hair and a laugh, and that warm sadness heart.
	Keep on laughing, little guy.
	It's good to do that all through Christmas and bring cheer to everyone.
	Okay, so we're going to bring in...
	A very special present for all of you there, and you'll all be able to open it.
	I know I have a helper there who's helping out Santa.
	I think they should be bringing them in for each of you.
	Okay, I see.
	I see the cuffs right there, the elf cuffs.
	All right, but wait, don't open it until each brother and sister and all of you get a present, okay?
	Because if you open them individually, then this will just go on all the way until Christmas.
	There's so many of you.
	We got Sergio Junior.
	Thank you.
	There you go, Junior.
	Such a strong name, Sergio.
	All right, they're being brought in.
	I can see the helper there.
	Okay, is that the last one?
	Did everyone get their package?
	Almost, Sam.
	Almost, okay.
	We got Olivia right here.
	We got a big one.
	Oh, I know for the little ones, this is like the Chinese water.
	It's just, it takes forever.
	They're anticipating opening up those gifts.
	I know, thank you for being patient, but there's such a big brood.
	All right.
	I think is everyone there?
	Everyone taken care of?
	Yes.
	Okay.
	All right.
	So I'm going to count down from three and you can all open them.
	So even little Olivia probably needs some help.
	Olivia, Rosie, Simeon, Eliana, Elias, Zoe, Sergio Jr. Santa's going to count down from three and you can all open that one present.
	All right.
	Are you ready?
	Three, two, one, go ahead, Merry Christmas!
	Go ahead, go, go, open up!
	That's for you!
	yeah there we go there we go so say no thank you so say no thank you Can you all hold up your presents just so Santa can make sure you got the right presents from the elves there?
	Okay, alright, yep, there we go.
	And Simeon and maybe Rosie, Eliana, can you hold it up?
	There you go, okay.
	Okay, good.
	Eliana, can you?
	There you go.
	Okay, good.
	These were those items on your list.
	And Santa has to see that for quality control.
	You know, make sure the elves are on top of it.
	Because sometimes they have little mix-ups.
	But there's plenty more where that came from if you're good and you don't peak until Christmas morning, okay?
	Okay, Merry Christmas.
	Thank you, Santa.
	There's one more thing, though, to all of you, all the little ones there.
	Let me ask you, do you think that mom there, that Charlotte does a really good job homeschooling, taking care of you?
	Yes.
	And do you love your dad very much?
	Is he a great dad who takes care of you and teaches you how to be a good man and be a good young lady?
	Yes.
	So do you think that mom and dad maybe deserve a special surprise for themselves, too?
	Yeah.
	Yeah?
	Would you like to see that?
	Well, okay, we thought so, too, and that was a test to see if you're good boys and girls.
	And you passed.
	You have generous little hearts, and I'm so happy to see it.
	We wanted to do something special for mom and dad to make managing that...
	Little house, I say in quotations, a little easier.
	So, Mom and Dad, Sergio, Charlotte, we actually have a special surprise for you.
	I know with that big family that will hopefully come in handy, if you would please actually follow the elves outside.
	There's one out there waiting for you, Mom and Dad.
	Can you do that?
	Take the whole family with you.
	Yeah.
	Okay.
	Well, let's go.
	Follow.
	Everyone follow the elves.
	Follow the elves.
	Merry Christmas.
	I hope this is special for you.
	you.
	Let's follow those elves.
	Come on, guys.
	You guys ready?
	And can I get...
	There we go.
	Okay.
	Tool Elf, I might need you to...
	There we go.
	Alright, they're following the elves.
	They don't know this.
	They can't hear me.
	they got a big van for the whole family.
	We have to wait until mom and dad come out They can't hear Santa.
	It's just you and me right now.
	And Elf Joshua, here it comes.
	look with the big bow and let's go back to see the looks on their faces Oh, Elf, can you get up a little closer?
	Get up.
	They can't hear me.
	Get up a little closer.
	I want to see them.
	them I see them holding their mouths let's go check the Yeah, have them go check that van out.
	Oh, look at her holding her little one.
	They're going to flip when they see inside, Elf Joshua.
	They can fit the whole clan.
	It's quite a sleigh, Santa.
	It is quite a sleigh, and it requires a lot less corn to fuel.
	Well, they've got horse power instead of reindeer power.
	It's a lot different, Santa.
	Although the ethanol, I guess it evens out.
	Less effective than a sleigh, but...
	That's true.
	It's not nothing as fast as a sleigh, but they can't all be sleighs.
	Oh, that just, that's something Santa loves to see, the whole family fitting in there.
	Simeon, do you like it?
	You've been saying, when are we going to ride together?
	Merry Christmas to the family from Santa.
	Oh, thank you so much.
	Thanks, Santa.
	Tell them, tell them Merry Christmas from Santa, and I'll be seeing them Christmas Eve.
	I have to go serve some other boys and girls.
	Music Hello!
	Merry Christmas!
	Three!
	Two!
	One!
	Go ahead, Merry Christmas!
	Let's go!
	Follow the elves!
	Follow the elves!
	Look right over there!
	I got the key right in here for you.
	Thank you.
	You guys want to check it out?
	Check it out guys.
	Right?
	What is it?
	Can everyone fit in here?
	Oh yeah.
	The entire family?
	Yeah.
	Yeah.
	Spare room, the back, sleeping.
	I know.
	No, I'm staying right here.
	We take everybody to the hospital.
	Because we went to take two people out.
	Yup.
	Yup.
	Which is awesome or what?
	Yeah?
	High five.
	Boom.
	There it goes guys.
	There we go.
	You guys wave at the camera.
	- Guys wave at the camera. - Oh, that's, we're getting very near the end of this now, but I want to thank everybody so much and everyone who helped make this happen.
	Of course, none of this happens without you and your mug memberships, your North Pole Mug Club memberships now, North Pole Premium.
	We can do this every year and really want to show you directly the good that you're doing, but we want to thank our friends at Glen Polk Auto Group.
	You can go to gpolk.com for Helping with that Ford Transit so this big family can travel around in one vehicle.
	We definitely want to give a special thanks to the One Tribe Foundation.
	You can go to onetribefoundation.org and really send them some special thanks and any support you can as they empower veterans.
	And they do good all year round.
	We partner with them around Christmas time, but the entire year they're doing a lot for these communities.
	Sometimes we lose sight of that, so please don't forget at any point, if you find a spare coin in your pocket, to send it to people like that.
	And of course, please do consider giving back and helping veterans like Zach receive a service dog like Atlas at rescue22foundation.org.
	I know a lot of people love to support animal-based organizations and don't necessarily know How they operate or where it's going, please check them out at rescue22foundation.org.
	The work they do is truly amazing, and if old Santa Claus could afford it, I'd get me one of those dogs just to protect the sleigh and the factory.
	Instead of Joe Lewis?
	No, no, no.
	Not instead of Joe Lewis.
	I mean, in addition, too.
	He needs some assistance, too.
	I mean, you could probably use some help from a good pooch.
	Yeah, well, we tried to train a pack of chihuahuas one year, and it did not go well.
	We had to say adios to the warehouse.
	No, plus we had to double our budget in gingerbread.
	Phew.
	Yes, but I was very grateful.
	You were very grateful.
	He's always very grateful.
	Even that time he oversaw the meltdown of the wrapping paper factory.
	He still took a while to wipe that smile off his face.
	I'm still thinking about it, Santa.
	You've got a great heart deep down, but on the surface it can be a little disturbing to the uninitiated.
	So we love you for it.
	Thank you so much, Elf Joshua.
	And of course, he will be performing, I believe, at McGiven's Eggnog Pub.
	That's right.
	There's a two-cookie minimum, though, Santa.
	That's right.
	On December 26th.
	And also...
	Oh, the Anchorage Chuckle Hut.
	Oh.
	New year.
	That's a new one.
	That's for you.
	I had no idea.
	Yes, yes.
	That's a bonus show for me.
	Look, help this little elf go from MC to Midler in the elf world.
	It's a, you know, it's a climb.
	It's a climb.
	I'm happy, but I'll never leave the North Pole.
	No, absolutely.
	It's a niche.
	I won't get too Hollywood for the North Pole, Sienna.
	No, I don't think so.
	Don't worry.
	No, we're not.
	Well, we appreciate it.
	We know you've got a heart of gold.
	If a mind that's, you know, we're doing some work with the elf therapy.
	We want to wish you all a very, very Merry Christmas.
	Of course, we're going to see you in 2025, a very big and special year, I know, for the country of the United States.
	And, uh...
	I also need to, every now and then, Santa, I'm not perfect.
	St. Nicholas, still, we're not perfect.
	A lot of people don't.
	All saints are sinners.
	As close as you can get, though, Santa.
	No, no, no.
	There's only one perfect who came before me, and I love helping people, and I love doing good, but I do make mistakes, and you may hear about this, so I wanted you to hear it from me first.
	I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
	But I did have a few little run-ins.
	Santa did with the local human resources department.
	Mr. Claus, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule during your busiest time of the year to meet with me.
	Oh, my pleasure, Samuel.
	And please, call me Santa.
	Hey, Santa, I mean Mr. Santa.
	The reason I brought you here is we need to discuss a great many infractions that have been going on around the office.
	Samuel...
	The beautiful Christmas trees, the twinkling lights, the general sense of merriment with all the employees.
	It's very problematic.
	Oh, Samuel, I wish that you could just see the sense of wonder and cheer that Christmas brings to everyone.
	It makes that smile just a little bit brighter.
	It makes that sadness just a little bit softer.
	Put that in your heart and keep it with you all year long.
	Santa, your live nativity scene alone violates at least half a dozen health and safety codes.
	Well, Samuel, don't you think...
	That the birth of our Lord and Savior, all of our Lord and Savior, is something to be revered and wonderful to be celebrated.
	Sandra was bitten by a camel and needed to have rabies shots injected directly into her spine.
	And, Santa, you know I'm Jewish.
	Well, the miracle of modern medicine can't be overlooked.
	And I'll be sure to fulfill a special Christmas wish for your disability.
	My disability?
	I'm fine.
	Hey, do you have any hot cocoa around here?
	Santa, that mistletoe that you hung has led to dozens of sexual harassment violations all throughout the office.
	You say sexual harassment violations.
	Old Saint Nick says it's a beautiful thing to see people embracing the physical expression of the spirit of Christmas.
	Sexual harassment.
	Well, Samuel, I actually think I have just the perfect Christmas gift for you.
	Oh, Santos!
	Samuel!
	Yes?
	Merry Christmas.
	Santa, this is so touching.
	I've never received a Christmas present, obviously, and thank you for thinking of me.
	This is such a nice- Santa!
	There you are!
	Josh?
	Wait, what's going on, Sam?
	Josh, this is a closed-door meeting between myself and Mr. Santa here.
	Wait, are you seriously writing up Santa right now?
	Dude's a freaking saint.
	I know that means nothing to you and your kin, okay?
	But I take great exception to it.
	Well, let's just let cooler temperatures prevail.
	Sam and I were actually just finishing up here.
	Uh, Mr. Santa, you're free to go.
	Oh.
	And thank you again.
	Oh, yes.
	Merry Christmas, Sam.
	And you as well.
	Or should I say, happy Christmas?
	Oh, it's still Christmas.
	Dear Samuel, I remember you back when you were just a little boy.
	Ever since your bris, you see.
	Even though you don't celebrate Christmas, and even though you are always different from your friends, I've always been watching you, and Samuel wanting the best for you.
	Santa knows that when other children were playing kickball, you were reading up on procedural optimization.
	Or when other children went out to Prague, that you were meeting with the vice-principal to go over gymnasium schematics to shore up any safety liabilities.
	Remember, dear Samuel, the one thing about Santa that will never change is that even if you don't believe in Santa, Santa has always believed in you.
	Oh, Santa.

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