John Caterino, 68, has been an invited Santa Claus guest hundreds of times at locations ranging from Balboa Park to neighborhood gatherings. His natural long white beard and hair, warm smile and demeanor and his Santa outfit help children believe. Caterino recalls one little boy did not initially be lieve. While sitting on Caterino’s knee, the child said, “You’re not a real Santa Claus. All the fake Santas’ beards come off.” “The boy then pulled on my beard, but it did not come off,” Caterino recalls. “I asked ‘now do you believe?’ and the boy said, ‘You are Santa’ and gave me a big hug.” “I believe he is Santa Claus,” said Elias Velazquez, operations deputy/volunteer coordinator for Brother Benno’s Foundation in Oceanside, where Caterino has been volunteering for 14 years. “Anyone who has the pleasure of meeting John believes. It’s not just the beard, but his spirit, generosity and kindness.” Brother Benno’s Executive Director Paul McNamara, a retired Marine colonel, added, “I’m a believer, too.” Caterino says he feels warmth, compassion and empathy for people and happiness from helping them. But he was not always like that. “Before volunteering at Brother Benno’s I was thick-skinned and lacked compassion,” he said. “I had never volunteered for anything, had never been Santa Claus, had stubble for a beard and short black hair.” Caterino’s Santa Claus began after a car accident resulting in serious injuries. “It was a near-death experience,” he said. “All I remember is the brightest light I’ve ever seen.” The accident changed his life. He retired from his job at a water district. His wife, Maryanne, suggested he join with her volunteering at Brother Benno’s. The nonprofit began as a soup kitchen 40 years ago and continues today helping homeless and low-income families in a variety of ways, including free daily meals in their dining room. “I was still my old self and responded that I didn’t want to be there with those people,” Caterino said. “But she saw something in me that I didn’t see and convinced me to try it.” On the first day at Brother Benno’s in 2011 Caterino was given the keys to their food truck and asked to retrieve food donated by supermarkets from throughout the county for distribution to the needy. Since that first day, he has driven the food truck nearly every weekday, five to six hours a day, year-round for 14 years — all as a volunteer! Every day, Caterino would see families in line waiting for food and living in their cars. As he saw young children waiting in line, he would feel his eyes tear up. “I said to myself early on that, as long as I live, I will drive the food truck and bring food so that no one goes to bed hungry,” he said. “My views changed about the people being helped at Brother Benno’s. I heard lots of stories from people coming from all walks of life. I felt the warmth, compassion and empathy inside that Maryanne saw.” As Caterino continued to drive the Brother Benno’s food truck over the years, his love for children and the people being helped at Brother Benno’s grew. He allowed his beard and hair to grow and they turned white. He acquired Santa clothes and happily agreed to attend gatherings as Santa. He smiled and laughed more than ever. “What helps make Santa Claus is compassion and the feeling of happiness from giving,” Caterino said. “Life is too short to be angry or upset,” he added… and then he paused. With a twinkle in his eyes and a broad smile He sprang to his food truck and drove out of sight. In the distance, could be heard: “Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.” Since December 2024 initial publication, Caterino continues delivering food at Brother Benno’s and appearing as Santa. Additionally, he is building a second “Rainbow Bridge” in Vista’s South Dog Park to display plaques commemorating deceased pets. “Mrs. Claus keeps finding projects to get me out of the house,” he said. About this series Goldsmith is a Union-Tribune contributing columnist. We welcome reader suggestions of people who have done something extraordinary or otherwise educational, inspiring or interesting and who have not received much previous media. Please send suggestions to Jan Goldsmith at [email protected] ...read more read less