Delli Paoli creates Santa Life Foundation charity
After an extremely trying time in his life, Bear’s Den Apothecary owner David Delli Paoli found help in an interesting and unusual place and decided to pay it forward.
“I had gone through a bad breakup just after losing my father to cancer and my dog of 15 years. It was my first holiday season without them and at that point I had nothing. It was a struggle financially and mentally. My mind went to some really dark places and I thought about hurting myself,” Delli Paoli said.
After taking a friend’s request to play Santa Claus that Christmas season, Delli Paoli ended up doing two appearances — a move he now admits saved his life. As an entertainer who has experience both as a musician and a stand-up comedian, he said it was then he decided to add “Neighborhood Santa” to his repertoire and filed to become a 501(c)(3) charity organization.
“When I looked into it, I discovered that Santa Claus makes too much money. I’m not saying it isn’t worth it, because a great Santa is priceless, but some of these guys are charging $500 an hour — obviously most guys aren’t making that though,” Paoli said.
The idea, he said, is to be the most authentic Santa possible, including donning a real beard. He longs to keep the magic alive, which, he said, is what saved his life. Now Paoli finds himself with a true calling to help others have a wonderful holiday season.
“My whole thing is keeping the magic alive. The magic kept me alive so I want to keep it alive for other people,” Paoli said
He explained that now he is able to give his time voluntarily, playing Santa at various places, such as the Shell Factory, while a good friend, who is a photographer, also volunteers his time, taking pictures of people with Paoli as Santa.
“I bought a couple of printers and we print the pictures out right there,” Paoli said.
He went on to say the only donations accepted are for photo paper and supplies needed to keep playing Santa for folks. Paoli’s aspiration is to be more than just a local Santa stop, but eventually to provide necessities such as food and clothes to islanders. With headquarters currently at his shop, he is hoping to bring the holiday season to life for folks who are in need of the magic provided by Santa.
The Santa Life Foundation is at 5507 Pine Island Roa, N.W., B., Bokeelia, FL 33922. Call 239-601-7628 for more information.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email