Bus driver brings cheer to special-needs students as Santa

Rick Waite’s stint as Santa Claus began three years ago when he decided to grow out his beard. He says he sings to the students he transports and listens to their requests for Christmas, but his primary goal is to make sure they leave the bus feeling better than they did when they got on board.

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January 2, 2014

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WEST JORDAN, Utah — School bus driver Rick Waite puts some extra cheer in the lives of the special-needs students he transports: For the past three years, he has dressed up as Santa Claus.

Fox 13 News reports that Waite’s stint as Santa began on a whim — he decided to grow out his beard, and the rest is history. He sings songs to the students, and he also listens to their wishes/requests for Christmas. He told the news outlet that he often gets requests for toys, but sometimes students’ requests are more personal and serious. He said he gets requests for parents to be happy and to stop fighting or for him to help ill friends and relatives get well.

Overall, Waite said his goal is to make sure the students leave his bus feeling better than they did when they boarded.

To read the full story and watch the video, click here.

Other news related to the holidays:

• Students, families surprise bus driver with Christmas gifts

Topics:Utah Special Needs Transportation

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