CARMEN BECERRA -- Working

Story by Paul Clinton

SHE IS

Keeping Christmas alive for children who visit Santa Claus

Santa’s little helper

Soothing crying children on the way to Santa’s lap is more than just a

holiday job for Becerra, a senior at Whittier College.

Clad in a red cone hat with white trim, Becerra is doubling as one of

Santa’s helpers this holiday season.

It takes come cajoling to get a crying child onto the lap of the

shopping center’s St. Nick, a job the 21-year-old says she welcomes.

“It’s really just working with kids,” Becerra said. “Because they

still believe in that magic.”

Calming the children

Becerra, who grew up near Santa Cruz, said she’s on track to graduate

from Whittier College in May with a degree in political science and

economics.

A college friend, and fellow elf, recruited her for a position working

with South Coast Plaza’s Santa. Becerra enjoys the opportunity --

although the job can be stressful when the shopping center fills with

frantic, last-minute shoppers who drag along their children to meet

Santa.

The challenge is “getting the children to smile, getting them

comfortable with Santa Claus,” Becerra said. “Most kids look at Santa

Claus in a book. But it’s different when you come and see him.”

Spreading holiday spirit

The elves are hired by Tri-Marc Imagery, a Diamond Bar company that

provides the assistants for mall Santas.

Up to 15 different elves will work in the mall on any given day at the

two Santa stations.

During a day’s shift, each elf shifts between three different duties

-- greeter, photographer and cashier.

According to the company’s statistics, more than 400 families, and at

least 1,000 children, visit the mall Santas on an average day during the

Christmas shopping season.