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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cI just like kids, and it\u2019s something I can do to give back to the community,\u201d Cleveland said. \u201cI don\u2019t charge to do it. It\u2019s all for fundraising and special events.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s been almost 20 years since that first helicopter ride as Santa. Cleveland has become a staple at Tullahoma events like the Tullahoma High School AristoCATs annual Breakfast with Santa \u2014 a role he inherited from a previous Santa (Louie Baldwin) who recognized Cleveland\u2019s potential.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His natural long white beard, infectious smile, and friendly demeanor make him a shoo-in for Santa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Breakfast with Santa, previously hosted at the First United Methodist Church but moving to a new location this year, is an annual fundraiser for the Tullahoma High School\u2019s show choir. At the event, Cleveland sits for hours posing for photos with kids from 1 to 92 (as Nat King Cole eloquently put it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lee has perfected the art of capturing the perfect photo with Santa.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think I\u2019ve done as much as laying down on the floor and singing \u2014 it\u2019s about anything I can do to try to get a picture or at least a happy picture,\u201d he said, laughing. Not all of them are happy pictures, of course. Sometimes, when a child is inconsolable, and the photo shows it, Santa tells parents, \u201cIt\u2019ll be good to share during the child\u2019s high school graduation. It may not put anybody in the holiday spirit right now, but it will make for a funny story.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n For years, one of his granddaughters didn\u2019t realize the guy in the Santa suit was him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With a full-time job and a busy family life, one might wonder how Cleveland manages to juggle his commitment to being Santa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI try not to manage more than one or two events a week, but sometimes it does happen,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout November and December, he participates in approximately 10 to 12 events, ranging from schools, daycares, nursing homes, and special events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He\u2019s grown his suit collection. One he wears when interacting with animals and pets, one that\u2019s lighter weight for hot climates, one that\u2019s heavier for cold temperatures, and a new one that\u2019s a more traditional-looking Saint Nick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cleveland said he expanded his collection after he lost \u201cabout 15 pounds in two days\u201d while playing Santa at an event in Florida. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having spent most of his life in Tullahoma, Cleveland was already a familiar face around town. His involvement as Santa has only opened more doors to various corners\u00a0of the community, fostering connections and making him a local celebrity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne of the best parts, honestly, is when you\u2019re walking through Walmart, or you\u2019re in one of the stores, and the little kids whisper to their parents, \u2018There\u2019s Santa Claus!\u2019\u201d Cleveland said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like many professional Santas, Cleveland has the difficult job of dissuading skeptics. He playfully tells children they must believe to receive and that the reindeer are only visible to him. \u201cI just enjoy doing it,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I tell them, if they ask me what my pay is, I say: \u2018Just a Diet Sundrop and a chocolate chip cookie.\u2019\u201d GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IN THE heart of Tullahoma, one man stands out as a true embodiment of the holiday spirit. Lee Cleveland, a sales engineer by profession, has donned the iconic red suit of Santa Claus for charity and community events for nearly two decades. From helicopters to nursing homes, he\u2019s brought joy to people of all ages […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":20941,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/tullahoma\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2023\/11\/1-3-1024x683.png\")
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