Santa touched by S. Elgin special needs students' unselfishness

It's one of school bus driver Greg Stout's favorite times of the year. Not only does he get to play Santa Claus, but he gets to share it with special needs students who are the epitome of unselfishness.

Stout donned his Santa suit Wednesday and visited with 21 special needs students at South Elgin High School between his driving shifts for Elgin Area School District U-46.

Stout has been playing Santa for 24 years, with the past six years dropping in on the Christmas party for the special needs students aged 18-22 years in the Exceptional Needs and Multiple Learning Program transitional classes at the school.

His wife Maureen made his costume and he starts growing his own beard in August. (It gets shaved down to a goatee the day after Christmas because “You don't want any of the kids to recognize you, ever,” he said with a laugh.)

“I do it because I enjoy it,” he adds. “It's just fun to interact with the kids and the parents.”

Students treated Santa to a short choral concert of a few Christmas carols to thank him for visiting.

Then, the students shared their wish lists with Santa. Several asked for clothes or electronic devices, but many students asked simply for things for their family.

Sydney Gajewski, 19, of South Elgin asked for “Good health and peace for all.” And a hug from Santa.

Heather Nadler, 19, of South Elgin said the best thing about his visit was, “It brings joy.”

The joy works both ways, Stout said.

“I like coming to the special needs class because these kids never want anything for themselves,” he said. “Or usually very little for themselves. They might have one item on their list. I had one today that all she wants is for everybody to be healthy.

“And people who are alone on Christmas, she wants them to have somebody. That's what her list said. It makes it all worthwhile.”