Every child dreams of meeting Santa. But for some, especially those in foster care, the holidays can be a difficult time. It's often a reminder of loss, uncertainty, and the things they long for most.
For Share in the JOY, that’s where our story truly began. It was with a Las Vegas Santa in a red suit and a heart as big as his laugh.
His name is Eric Stewart, known throughout Southern Nevada as The Henderson Santa or Sin City Santa. For years, Eric was the Santa who visited my home every Christmas. My kids believed, truly believed, that he was the real Santa Claus. His kindness, his warmth, and his presence made his yearly visits to our home magical.
But in 2022, things were different. It was going to be my first Christmas without my children. Still, I reached out to Eric. I told him that while I wouldn’t be having my kids that year, I wanted him to visit a foster family instead and to bring JOY where it was needed most.
He immediately said yes. And then he said something I wasn't expecting.
“If it’s for a foster family, there’s no charge.”
I insisted on paying of course, it was the busiest time of year for him after all. But Eric wouldn’t hear of it. Instead, we compromised after he suggested we do something a little different.
“What if we made it a Christmas party? Not just for one family… but for four or five?”
And that’s when the very first HoliJOY was spoken into existence.
Through a series of connections that can only be described as meant to be, I was soon connected with Evelyn at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. She shared that their kids hadn’t had a true holiday celebration in years due to budget constraints. That first HoliJOY brought together 34 children in foster care, each one receiving a personal letter from Santa himself, handwritten by Eric.
On the day of the event, Santa arrived with his elves: his wife Tonya, and their children Evan and Bella, who helped deliver gifts to each child. The top item on their Christmas wish list, no less!
But more than presents, Eric gave them what they needed most: presence. He took time with every child, listened to them, laughed with them, and made them believe in magic again.
That day changed everything.
The following year, I was asked to do it again, but this time, for all of the children served by St. Jude’s Ranch across Southern Nevada. I knew then that this was bigger than a single event. I founded Share in the JOY, turning a simple act of kindness into a full-fledged nonprofit dedicated to serving youth in foster care.
From that year forward, HoliJOY became about more than receiving gifts, it became about the magic of giving. Each child chooses gifts not for themselves, but for the people they love! A parent, a sibling, a teacher, their best friend... anyone they choose. It’s a lesson in compassion, generosity, and love that gives them the opportunity to feel the true magic of the holiday season... giving.
Every year since, Santa Eric has been there.
Now, he roams the event, laughing, posing for photos, and spreading cheer to hundreds of children. In 2024, he even joined us for one of our most meaningful moments as we delivered gifts to a home where 11 children lived between two families. That day, Santa didn’t just bring presents, he brought hope, laughter, and wonder to a home that needed it most.
He’s also shown up for us in countless other ways: fundraising for Share in the JOY, volunteering at events, and even joining our partner Raider Dad to help 15 underprivileged youth experience their first-ever Raiders game.
Eric Stewart has been part of Share in the JOY since day one. His generosity, his spirit, and his love for children are woven into the heart of everything we do.
This holiday season, we celebrate not just Santa but the man behind the beard, whose heart has made HoliJOY possible for hundreds of children who needed to believe in something magical again.
On behalf of all of us at Share in the JOY, thank you Eric for making the kind of difference a child will always remember, and thank you to your family for supporting the time it takes you away from them during the holiday season.
You’ve earned your place at the very top of Santa’s all-time Nice List.
