The clothmaker. [volume] (Clinton, South Carolina) 1952-1984, December 15, 1988, Image 9

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— Lydia Spinning Room employees gathered around their Christmas tree in the canteen as supervisors and Santa Claus passed out gifts personnaily selected by the employee. The gathering brought a family and home-like atmosphere to the event as employees anxiously awaited the chance to get their gift King is a ‘natural’ Santa For Sonny King, Clinton Mills Co-ordi nator of Health and Safety, being Santa is very real, because he makes it that way. King has been Santa for the past two years. He’s visited friends’ homes to bring enjoyment to young children, Bailey Memorial Nursing Home, Church kinder garten groups, and this year, Clinton plants. “I think we would all like to believe there is a Santa Claus,” says King. “It’s hard to work if you do a good job,” noted King as he made his way throughout the Clinton plants dressed in his red Santa’s suit “This year, our employees were sur prised when I made my first appearance around 4 a.m. on the third shift.” “Being Santa takes patience and under standing. I frightened one of our Superin tendents when I appeared without prior no tice,” recalled King. “Employees always want to guess who you are,” said King as he took a break from his plant rounds.” “Once you say some thing, those who know you realize your correct identity. “Itdoesn’t matter, however,” joked King, “because when you put on the red and white suit and black txx>ts, you are Santa Claus.” “I wear a pillow underneath my suit. This gives me a authentic look and some thing of a ‘jolly’ appearance,” he added. Playing Santa for 1,750 employees and trying to speak to as many as possible was quite a undertaking for King. Pounding the stairs, getting between the machinery, and often times passing our complimentary candy was all part of act of playing Santa. “I tried to contact every one,” said King. In addition to being Clinton’s official Santa, King makes an annual visit to Bailey Memorial Nursing Home. “Elderly people really get a thrill out of seeing Santa, just like the kids.” It always brings back many fond memories, he noted. “I even fooled my mother, who is a patient at Bailey Memorial. Most of the time, she doesn’t recognize me. Senior citizens enjoying seeing Santa,” he noted. 9 ClothMaker