WISCONSIN (NBC 26) - From a lack of goods to not enough employees, to even paying top dollar for everyday items; the pandemic has managed to creep into most aspects of our daily lives. But who would have thought this pandemic would have impacts stretching all the way to Santa's helpers?
Regardless of whether you were naughty or nice, having a Saint Nick encounter or two prior to the holiday isn't all that uncommon. But this year, Santa is swamped, and his helpers at malls and parades are continuing to grin and bear it.
"It's the smiles and the fun we get, that's what makes Santa and everyone at the North Pole work day and night for you boys and girls," said Santa from the North Pole via Zoom.
Inevitably Santa is going to get the job done. I mean his lengthy track record worth of top-notch performances speaks for itself. But the truth of the matter is he's having a hard time finding helpers this year to help spread joy across Wisconsin.
"The demand is through the roof and that's putting pressure on the supply," said Mitch Allen the Head Elf at hiresanta.com.
Allen the founder of Hire Santa assists in suiting up Santa's helpers across the U.S. so that they can visit malls, walk or ride in parades, and share with the big guy himself what kids are hoping to find under the tree.
But Allen says the number of Santa's helpers looking to step up this year has dropped about 10 percent compared to the number of helpers he had pre-pandemic. Additionally, the. requests for Santa's has risen by about 120 percent.
"Because of that, there are fewer Santas and huge demand. There's a real Santa shortage right now," says Allen.
And while Santa and all of his trusted helpers continue racing across northeast Wisconsin, double-checking their good and naughty lists for accuracy; Santa says kids across our region don't have to worry about the helper shortage.
"Oh, boys and girls please don't worry. Santa is going to be there. The Christmas season will always be there. Remember, Santa will always be in your heart and will get you those goodies we promise," said Santa.
