You can follow this Santa Claus on Facebook as he spreads joy around southcentral Pa.

Editor’s note: Parents, please be advised that some children who read this story may be able to identify some of Santa's trade secrets. 

One of Santa’s helpers is stationed right here in Franklin County.

To help the big man through his busy season, Mike Lowery has devoted a big part of his life to being Santa Claus.

The Chambersburg man, with the help of his family, attends community events, private parties and even small family gatherings as St. Nick. Babies as young as three days old to adults nearing 100 have sat on his lap. He even makes appearances at children's homes on Christmas Eve. 

"I say it's my legacy. It’s the only thing I ever did decent in my life, so that’s why it's so fun doing it," Lowery said. 

It all started about nine years ago when Lowery’s baby granddaughter wanted to sit on Santa’s lap. He got a suit, and has been asking kids and kids at heart their Christmas wishes ever since. 

Spreading joy to give back

Lowery's busy Santa season typically begins by the start of November and stretches through Christmas Eve. He had already done two engagements by the time of his Nov. 14 interview for this story, and had more scheduled in the coming days. He keeps the community updated on his schedule via his Facebook page, Where Will Santa Be? (@findcburgsanta). Anyone can schedule an appearance on a first come, first serve basis. 

“My kids and my wife back this. I got the easy part. They got the hard part. They keep the web page going," Lowery said. 

Some days, he could really use the real Santa's magic. While Santa travels around the world in one night with his sleigh and flying reindeer, Lowery has to crisscross southcentral Pennsylvania via automobile in a limited time frame. Take this Saturday; Lowery has three events between 12:30 and 7 p.m., in Chambersburg, Gettysburg and Shippensburg, respectively. There is even a fourth, private event that morning at an undisclosed location. 

Lowery's Santa visits aren't just for kids; nursing homes are common clients. Lowery said the senior citizens are just as much fun to talk to as the kids.

“I’ve had 98-year-old women sit on my lap. It’s the first time they ever sat on Santa’s lap,” he said. His wife, Kathy - who does not portray Mrs. Claus - added that many of these older folks have never had their photo taken with Santa, because that wasn’t something that happened when they were kids.

His appearances are not limited to the holiday season.

As long as he is available, he is open to playing Santa Claus at events year round, such as at a birthday party this past April and and at a campground's Christmas in July event. 

Lowery recalled a particularly special event, when he helped a 4-year-old boy celebrate his adoption this summer at the Franklin County Courthouse. 

"All he wanted for his adoption was for Santa to be there," he said. 

Lowery is no stranger to the boy's new family, which includes six adopted children. He has been visiting their Greencastle home as Santa ever year. 

Patients at Chambersburg Hospital on Christmas Eve may get a visit from Lowery's Santa. He said the visit has become an annual tradition. 

That yearly appearance represents Lowery's overall goal: to give back by bringing joy to people. He does not make any money from his work. Some clients insist on paying, and in those cases he donates all funds to local charities. A favorite is Toys for Tots.  

Lowery said his experiences with multiple major health issues are the driving force behind his endeavor. The 55-year-old said he's suffered a broken neck and back, has had five heart attacks, endured a quadruple bypass and a double bypass, and has had two heart aneurysms. 

"He just doesn't let anything get him down," Kathy said. "We've been together 33 years, married 30 in August, and I can't imagine him doing anything else but this."

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Keeping it real

Lowery has worked to make himself more like the real Santa over the years. He's gone through probably six suits, and has shiny black boots and a big gift bag. This will be his fourth or fifth year with a real beard (which, oddly enough, turns from grayish-brown to white by November). He said he will even grow his hair longer this year, because last year a child questioned why it appeared so short under his Santa hat. 

As Santa, Lowery has to tread carefully in his conversations with children. For example, it is important to him that children know that Santa does not bring all their gifts. 

“I don’t want any kid to think that Mommy and Daddy don’t bring them anything. … I don’t want them to think toys just miraculously appear,” he said.

If a child asks for a dangerous gift - hoverboards, which are known to catch fire, are common requests - Lowery said he will try to steer them toward something else. But sometimes, children ask for something that not even the real Santa Claus can fulfill. 

"The biggest thing with me is, I never thought I'd be able to answer a question or wish when they ask me for Mommy and Daddy back, when Mommy or Daddy has passed away," he said. "So I asked a pastor one day and he said, 'hey, I can't tell you what to say. Whenever you're in that situation...it will come from the heart.' And it always does.  I always come up with something to say."

Lowery has no plans to hang up his Santa hat anytime soon. He will keep going as long as his health allows it. 

“If there's somebody who wants me to do it, I'll still do it.”

Where to meet Mike Lowery's Santa Claus

Below is a selection of public events where Lowery, as Santa, is scheduled to appear. A full list is available on his Facebook page (@findcburgsanta). 

Dec. 8: 10:30 a.m., Pet Valu, Wayne Plaza, Chambersburg

Dec. 15: Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m., The Family Table, 6097 Lincoln Way West, St. Thomas

Dec. 20 and 22: 6 p.m., Tiny World, 6720 Rice Road, Shippensburg

Dec. 22: Lunch with Santa, 11:30 a.m., Hickory Ridge Restaurant, 3875 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg

Correction: Lowery had two heart aneurysms, not brain aneurysms.