Hall of Fame awaits local Santa
Douglassville man youngest inductee ever
DOUGLASSVILLE » “My tag line is always believe. It’s so important for people in any situation. Things will get better and things will turn around.”
Dutch Schrap, 43, knows a thing or two about believing. The Douglassville native has been bringing hope and joy to kids and families for 27 years by dressing up as Santa Claus, and soon he will be recognized among some of the greats.
On Friday, April 20, Schrap will become the youngest person ever inducted into The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Denver, Colo.
The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame is the home of the celebration and study of famous Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus of the past and present. This is an ongoing project to preserve the historical documentation of the many
men and women who have contributed to the Legend of Santa Claus.
The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame is dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra, the fourth-century bishop known for his great deeds of generosity. He is the basis for the Santa Claus legend.
Schrap will be joining famous inductees including Edmund Gwenn, who portrayed Santa in the film “Miracle on 34th Street,” Haddon Sundblom, the famous Coca-Cola Santa Claus artist; Mickey Rooney, voice of Santa in “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” Ed Asner, who starred as Santa Claus in the movie “Elf” and many others.
Schrap, who works as an IT professional year round, began his career as Santa Claus when he was only 16, following in his father’s footsteps.
“My dad is still Santa Claus and he was a department store Santa. He would do it for charitable organizations and when I was 16 I wanted to try it out, so I donned the suit for the very first time. It’s addicting seeing the twinkle in kids’ eyes and the belief and the magic,” said Schrap.
The honor is a well deserved one for Schrap, who has worked in many capacities as Santa Claus including in his own community. Schrap is part of Operation Nine Reindeer Inc., an organization aimed at bringing joy to families dealing with hardships during the holidays. Through the organizations, he has helped bring Christmas to 20 community families.
In addition to his community work, Schrap has performed all over at holiday parties for companies such as The Bellevue, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, Reading Fightin Phils, Comcast, Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
In addition, each year, Schrap was the Santa in the Lansdale Mardi Gras Parade for 12 years and for then Pennsylvania’s Gov. Edward G. Rendell at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg.
Schrap even fulfilled one of his dreams in 2015 when he was selected as the Official Santa Claus of the 6ABC/Dunkin’ Donuts Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. He has since held the position of bringing the parade to a close each year and running the “Rocky Steps” during the finale.
Schrap says the happiness he brings while portraying Santa is unlike anything else and that he hopes to continue the tradition for as long as he can.
“It’s funny. I’ve done this over half my life now and I wouldn’t give it up for anything,” he said. “It’s seeing the same families over and over again. I’ve been doing it so long that the babies I saw in 1991 are now parents. It’s crazy, the whole belief. Keeping the spirit of Santa going is something remarkable to see in this day and age.”