Carson City resident Tom Bragg, who regularly appears as Santa Claus in local events, waves to the crowd from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office SWAT vehicle on Dec. 13 at the Market Street Walmart.
Photo by Jessica Garcia.
Having brought holiday cheer and brightness to many, the man known around town as Santa Claus is facing a crisis of his own this season and needs the magic of community.
Carson City resident Tom Bragg, 72, is known for playing Santa for the city’s Chamber of Commerce and the annual Holiday with a Hero event that helps children in need, among other events. On Nov. 6, his modular home on Poole Way burned down from arson, and the insurance company later said it would not cover damages, Bragg told the Appeal on Friday. He and wife Sue have since been living with their grandson, John Bragg, Jr.
“You hear the word ‘fire’ in your house, and you just get stressed,” Bragg said, noting they were out of town when the fire occurred.
Bragg estimated the damage to belongings inside the home at $30,000. A friend, who wished to remain anonymous, has offered a travel trailer, which the couple can relocate to the property.
“We’re looking at probably the week after the first of the year,” Bragg said. “We’ll get through the holidays.”
Bragg’s niece Rachelle Vazquez Abreu has set up a Go Fund Me page for the couple: https://www.gofundme.com/f/carson-citys-santa-tom-needs-help.
“They are not the type of people that would ask for help. Tom is always helping others, not only this upcoming season, but all year long. It's time for us to get together and help them out,” says the webpage.
“Tom has brought many smiles to local children over his many years portraying Santa Claus. He has handed out many gifts to the underserved, and now he is the one who needs a bit of help as we go into the new year,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ronni Hannaman. “Tragedy can even impact Santa.”
Bragg said he first started playing Santa for Walmart back in the 1990s.
“I’ve been doing Santa Claus for about 30 years,” he said. “I’ve been doing Polar Express (on the V&T Railroad) for about four years.”
Bragg also does private events for families. He said he now sees children of children he worked with years ago.
“The thing about being Santa, I always think I’m doing it for the kids, but actually, the kids are doing it for me,” he said.
When asked what the community’s support so far means to him, Bragg replied that it’s been overwhelming.
“The house is replaceable,” he said. “But the love and the compassion and the community and the people … there are people in there (Go Fund Me) I don’t even know! The love they’re putting forth is just a godsend.”