Wake Forest Athletics
Santa Gets Help from Wake Forest Student-Athletes
12/10/2019 8:46:00 PM | Les Johns
A surprise visit from Santa Claus lifted the spirits of children in nearly 250 Winston-Salem homes Saturday morning, as Wake Forest student-athletes delivered presents as part of the Santa's Helper charity.
"It's great to give back to the community, especially doing it with your teammates makes it that much more special," Wake Forest junior safety Luke Masterson said. "Seeing the kids' faces when you walk in the door — you can't replicate that."
Masterson dressed as Santa a year ago, but Saturday was one of the drivers for a group that included Lexi Franco (women's tennis), Hannah Betfort (women's soccer), Cade Carney (football) and Chandler Averette (student government). Football long snapper Dayton Diemel was Santa, riding alongside Masterson in the passenger seat of his present-filled truck.
"It was a little intimidating at first," Masterson said about being Santa a year ago. "You have to be in character. Once you get going after the first or second house, it becomes a lot of fun."
As Diemel approached houses fully dressed as Santa Claus with a bag of presents draped over his shoulder, children often spotted him with big smiles and wide eyes from their windows. Hugs of appreciation were the norm, with many families wanting to take pictures with Santa Diemel.
"Very cool," Diemel often bellowed in a strangely-Italian laced accent while he gave presents to the children.
"It's awesome to see the kids and how happy they are," Diemel said. "There's nothing better to do on a Saturday in December.
"There's nothing better than seeing a kid all teary-eyed and happy to see you. It's exciting. I woke up today and was in the role."
Focusing on larger families, the initiative delivered nearly 2,000 presents and more than 900 books to 931 Winston-Salem children, according to assistant athletic director for student-athlete development, Ashley Wechter. The effort, spawned by former Wake Forest football player Chip Rives, is the longest-standing and largest Wake Forest Athletics community service tradition.
The entire women's basketball roster was out in force Saturday to assist, along with 80-100 student-athletes and staff working the event.
"I've experienced it before and it's a really good event," senior forward Raegyn Branch said. "To deliver all these presents and see the kids when they open them is just amazing.
"I told them (teammates) it's fun and exciting, and will humble you."
Wake Forest football was well represented with many taking on the role of Santa, including Jake Benzinger, Elontae Bateman, Kendall Hinton, Je'Vionte' Nash, Justin Bartee, Ja'Cquez Williams, Ty Hardimon, D.J. Taylor and Arkeem Byrd.
"I feel like I'm going to be very energetic today and be a great Santa for the kids," Byrd said. "Kendall told me about it last year and told me how much fun it was.
"I thought I was going to be an elf. They gave me the important job of being Santa, so hopefully I don't fail them."
Junior track and field star Elijah Shalaway also dressed as Santa for the event.
Franco has participated in each of her four years at Wake Forest, and has served on the Santa's Helper board the last two years.
"It's an amazing experience seeing the faces on both the kids and the parents when they see Santa," she said. "It's a rewarding feeling. I'm definitely going to miss this.
"It's an experience I'll never forget and honestly one of the best community service events Wake Forest has."
Carney has learned that the day of giving has become one he anticipates.
"You get to go out with your teammates and friends to serve the community," Carney said. "It's such a blessing for us and helps them have a good Christmas.
"It's definitely what we try to embody and who we try to be. For so much of the year, it's easy to be in your bubble, but to get out in the community and see their faces is something special."
Robert Egleston is the president and co-founder of Santa's Helper, which he started 34 years ago with Rives.
"I really appreciate what Santa's Helper does for the community and the work Robert Egleston does to keep it going," Carney said. "Thanks to him and the board for all they do to make this happen. It's a really special event."
According to Carney, Diemel was the MVP Saturday.
"All of a sudden this Wisconsin guy gets a thick Italian accent," he said. "I don't know what that was all about. But the kids loved it."
"It's great to give back to the community, especially doing it with your teammates makes it that much more special," Wake Forest junior safety Luke Masterson said. "Seeing the kids' faces when you walk in the door — you can't replicate that."
Masterson dressed as Santa a year ago, but Saturday was one of the drivers for a group that included Lexi Franco (women's tennis), Hannah Betfort (women's soccer), Cade Carney (football) and Chandler Averette (student government). Football long snapper Dayton Diemel was Santa, riding alongside Masterson in the passenger seat of his present-filled truck.
"It was a little intimidating at first," Masterson said about being Santa a year ago. "You have to be in character. Once you get going after the first or second house, it becomes a lot of fun."
As Diemel approached houses fully dressed as Santa Claus with a bag of presents draped over his shoulder, children often spotted him with big smiles and wide eyes from their windows. Hugs of appreciation were the norm, with many families wanting to take pictures with Santa Diemel.
"Very cool," Diemel often bellowed in a strangely-Italian laced accent while he gave presents to the children.
"It's awesome to see the kids and how happy they are," Diemel said. "There's nothing better to do on a Saturday in December.
"There's nothing better than seeing a kid all teary-eyed and happy to see you. It's exciting. I woke up today and was in the role."
Focusing on larger families, the initiative delivered nearly 2,000 presents and more than 900 books to 931 Winston-Salem children, according to assistant athletic director for student-athlete development, Ashley Wechter. The effort, spawned by former Wake Forest football player Chip Rives, is the longest-standing and largest Wake Forest Athletics community service tradition.
The entire women's basketball roster was out in force Saturday to assist, along with 80-100 student-athletes and staff working the event.
"I've experienced it before and it's a really good event," senior forward Raegyn Branch said. "To deliver all these presents and see the kids when they open them is just amazing.
"I told them (teammates) it's fun and exciting, and will humble you."
An amazing morning spreading Christmas cheer throughout Winston-Salem with Santa's Helper! 🎅 #GiveBack pic.twitter.com/vhJK7f9dTI
— Wake Women's Hoops (@WakeWBB) December 7, 2019
Wake Forest football was well represented with many taking on the role of Santa, including Jake Benzinger, Elontae Bateman, Kendall Hinton, Je'Vionte' Nash, Justin Bartee, Ja'Cquez Williams, Ty Hardimon, D.J. Taylor and Arkeem Byrd.
"I feel like I'm going to be very energetic today and be a great Santa for the kids," Byrd said. "Kendall told me about it last year and told me how much fun it was.
"I thought I was going to be an elf. They gave me the important job of being Santa, so hopefully I don't fail them."
Junior track and field star Elijah Shalaway also dressed as Santa for the event.
Franco has participated in each of her four years at Wake Forest, and has served on the Santa's Helper board the last two years.
"It's an amazing experience seeing the faces on both the kids and the parents when they see Santa," she said. "It's a rewarding feeling. I'm definitely going to miss this.
"It's an experience I'll never forget and honestly one of the best community service events Wake Forest has."
Carney has learned that the day of giving has become one he anticipates.
"You get to go out with your teammates and friends to serve the community," Carney said. "It's such a blessing for us and helps them have a good Christmas.
"It's definitely what we try to embody and who we try to be. For so much of the year, it's easy to be in your bubble, but to get out in the community and see their faces is something special."
Robert Egleston is the president and co-founder of Santa's Helper, which he started 34 years ago with Rives.
"I really appreciate what Santa's Helper does for the community and the work Robert Egleston does to keep it going," Carney said. "Thanks to him and the board for all they do to make this happen. It's a really special event."
According to Carney, Diemel was the MVP Saturday.
"All of a sudden this Wisconsin guy gets a thick Italian accent," he said. "I don't know what that was all about. But the kids loved it."
Is it Dayton Claus or Santa Diemel?
— Les Johns (@Les_Johns) December 7, 2019
Regardless, he's long snapping presents this morning to good boys and girls across Winston-Salem, along with nearly 100 other Wake Forest student-athletes. pic.twitter.com/0N3T6Ida1s
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