You don’t have to call the North Pole

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, December 25, 2007

DIAMOND POINT – Don McIntyre came of age in 1960 when the U.S. Marine Corps issued him a pair of black boots, a white cotton beard and orders to become Santa Claus.

His job, as an 18-year-old Marine straight out of boot camp, was to bring Christmas presents to foster children at a Toys for Tots party.

But those youngsters weren’t so interested in stuff.

“They asked, ‘Where’s Mommy? When do I get to go home?'” remembered McIntyre.

All he could do was hand out Barbies, boxes of Lincoln Logs and such.

In the 47 years since, McIntyre – from this point forward Santa – has picked up a few things about what humans want and need.

Now a resident of Diamond Point, Santa hands out cards bearing his photo, the message, “Santa retiring to ­SEQUIM,” with his home and cell phone numbers.

Between this Thanksgiving and Christmas, he’s come – usually late to make a grand, bell-jingling entrance – at some 40 parties, schools, workplaces and nursing homes.