Jennifer Lee Photography

LCM maintenance worker Benny Winder has played Santa for 25 years.

From working on the LCM campuses during the day to turning into Kris Kringle in the evening and on weekends, Benny Winder enjoys stepping into this special role every holiday season.

Winder, who is part of the LCMCISD maintenance department, has been “Santa” during the holidays for around 25 years and has been employed at LCM for 31 years.

“I started just doing it, and it turned into a blessing,” Winder said of his role as Santa Claus. “While working at LCE, the staff were all having Christmas parties, and a red-headed grandma dressed as Santa walked in. I said, ‘What are you doing as Santa?’ She responded that she could not find anyone else to do it. I told her, ‘Just let me know and I will do it.'”

After that encounter, Winder went on to take pictures for the first time with children, pets, and anyone else who believes in the magic of Christmas.

He said he enjoys seeing the children’s faces light up while allowing their families to capture their memories in their photos.

“I even had one person recently come to take pictures with their child who asked me if I remembered him,” Winder said. “The man said, ‘My mom still has the picture of me and you are on her refrigerator from my kindergarten Christmas party.'”

Winder makes several stops in the Southeast Texas area during the holiday season. Some of these places include senior citizen centers, education foundations, banks, credit unions, churches, Walmart, Leslie’s Place, and the Sketch Cafe across the street from LCM High School.

He said he finds joy in going anywhere he can to spread Christmas cheer and to keep the magic alive for the children.