By Ryan Garza
For the News-Gazette

Tis’ the season once more, as local resident Dave Johnson, 74, adorns a Santa outfit and rides an airboat to the East Lake Fish Camp Saturday to deliver gifts to the handicapped children of the Russell Home in south Orlando.

This is Johnson’s 33rd year dressing up and delivering gifts to the children. He is expecting 25 other airboats to attend and line the way for him to ride in, giving a special show for these bright eyed, excited group of 20 children, who will  watch Santa ride his way in at 10 a.m. The camp is at 3705 Big Bass Road in Kissimmee.

Johnson is part of the Osceola Airboat Association, which will be making a donation of $500 along with Panther Airboats. Panther furnishes Johnson every year with a new airboat to arrive on. The children from the Russell Home, which is run solely on donations, has been going to the East Lake Fish Camp every year to watch Santa ride in. When Johnson lands, they swarm him with hugs and go inside a camp building to see a decorated Christmas tree They then receive their presents and have lunch provided by the camp.

Johnson noted how excited everyone gets when they are handed their gifts.

“It’s very emotional,” he said.

Johnson has been there to watch the children grow up over the years knowing a lot of their personalities, including one woman who can do an amazing Elvis impression. His wife, Carol, helps him as well every year along with others from the Osceola Airboat, Indian River Airboat, Kissimmee River Airboat and Florida Airboat Associations, who all participate in this special event. Johnson said he welcomed anyone who wanted to come out to the fish camp to come take part. It is very touching and inspirational to watch everything happen, Johnson said, who is hoping for a great turn out. Johnson said he does not do this for fame or any type of recognition, but for the pure joy of the children. He has a video from one year he rode in that shows beaming faces and has the sounds of joy.

“It still gets to me every year to give them something,” said Johnson as he wiped a tear from his eyes. “Some of the children are unable to leave the Russell Home.”  

The Russell Home has been in operation without any government assistance for over 50 years, and has listed on its website russellhome.org a list of gifts the children would like and other ways people can help if they are unable to attend this year.