Murt Recognizes Santa's Helpers

Even Santa Claus needs helpers. 

In the Hatboro, Horsham and Upper Moreland communities that state Rep. Tom Murt (R-152) represents, that helper came in the form of senior Monica Lannon. 

During a recent Upper Moreland commissioners meeting, Murt recognized Lannon for helping to coordinate his office's Santa Claus Visitation program. Since its inception in 2007, the program makes visits with jolly St. Nick easier for kids with intellectual disabilities. 

“It just makes it very difficult for a child with those types of attributes to go to the mall and visit Santa,” Murt said, noting the often-hectic holiday atmosphere and long lines to see Santa at various shopping malls. “I asked the parent, ‘How about if Santa came to your house and visited your child in your living room?’”

Murt said the program has grown in demand over the years, and his office sought more help. Volunteers, such as Lannon, and Santa Claus himself, Jonathan de Jonge of Upper Moreland, have made it possible to extend holiday cheer.

“In all candor, he looks a lot more like Santa Claus than I do,” Murt said, noting de Jonge’s distinctive white beard. “He’s certainly not your run-of-the-mill Santa Claus.”

Over the years, Murt said the Santa Claus Visitation program has sent Santa throughout Horsham and Upper Moreland townships, as well as in Whitpain and Blue Bell. The program also visits the Widener Memorial School, a special-needs school in Philadelphia.

Murt recognized Lannon for single-handedly coordinating the program’s visits over the holidays.

“This year was a little unique, we had a record number of requests for visits with Santa Claus,” Murt said. “Monica Lannon set up all the visits, booked all the visits, and coordinated the visits.”

According to Murt, Lannon took on the Santa Claus Visitation program as her senior project. In addition to the family requests, Lannon also coordinated the program with the special education teachers of Hatboro-Horsham and Upper Moreland school districts.

The Hatboro-Horsham senior is thinking of a career in occupational therapy.

Murt added that Lannon went along with de Jonge on Santa's visits as his helper.

“Unfortunately, we hear a lot in the media and in the newspapers about the decay in society and what’s wrong with our world,” Murt said. “And, Jonathan de Jonge and Monica Lannon worked very hard to make the world a better place this holiday season.”