They're the two visitors everyone welcomes

RANDY HAROLD: No one's bothered that he and helper use an alias - Claus.

By Rex Waggoner
Staff writer

"I hear about families that could use a holiday lift, and l love to bring wonder and joy into children's lives."
      -Randy Harold

Staff photo by Juan Carlo

GIFT TO SANTA: Santa Claus (Randy Harold), gives a hug and a kiss to Angela Schooner after making one of his many holiday visits to portray jolly St. Nick.

     When Megan Hickman, 4, answered the door to her grandparents' home Wednesday she stared in disbelief at the visitors.

     There stood Santa and Mrs. Claus, vocalizing "ho-hoho."

     Megan ran to gather her family to see the unexpected guests.

     "We've come to wish you a Merry Christmas and ask what you'd like for gifts," announced the jovial Santa, played by Randy Harold of Camarillo.

     Megan and her extended family of 12 are living temporarily with her grandparents, Claude and Diane Hickman, in Camarillo.

     Santa and Mrs. Claus were eagerly ushered into the living room filled with Christmas decorations, including a collection of more than 30 Santa Claus figures.

     One by one, seven siblings and cousins, ages 1 to 15, sat on Santa's lap, asking for video games, Roller Blades and Barbie dolls.

     This was one of about 120 visits Harold has made this holiday season. He will make 27 more stops today from 2 p.m. to midnight.

     Harold is often accompanied by Mrs. Claus, played by Kitty LaPolla, a volunteer teacher's aide at El Rancho Structured School.

     "I love going out with Randy, because he's so wonderful with the children," said LaPolla.

     Harold praised LaPolla as "the ideal Mrs. Claus. Her spirit of Christmas is incredible."

     About half of Harold's visits are gratis, including the one to the Hickmans.

     "I hear about families that could use a holiday lift, and I love to bring wonder and joy into children's lives," he said.

     "It's awesome the way kids want to tell Santa what they want for Christmas. If the family is really poor, I'll take donated gifts, like from Toys for Tots, to hand out."

     On request, Harold will appear as Grinch, Ebenezer Scrooge or a holiday clown.

     "Clowning is my business," he said. "I've been entertaining kids and playing Santa Claus for 19 years. There are always more requests than I can handle."

     To meet the demand, Harold would like to open a Santa Claus school in Camarillo "to teach proper etiquette and the skills to gain children's trust and belief in Santa Claus," he said. "It takes training and a lot of caring."

     Angela Scooner, mother of four of the children, said the family was grateful for Harold's effort. "This will always be a special Christmas in their memories."

     As the Clauses were leaving the Hickman home, Megan pulled Santa down to her level and whispered in his ear, "I'll leave you milk and chocolate cookies when you come down the chimney."