Valley Pharmacy gets a visit from Santa Claus

BY JOHN BRICE

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

VALLEY — Local residents received a holiday surprise Friday afternoon when Santa Claus greeted customers visiting Valley Pharmacy.

What began as a routine trip to the pharmacy quickly turned into a festive moment, as families enjoyed the chance for their children to meet Santa Claus and share some early Christmas cheer.

Austin Billingsley, of Valley, visited the pharmacy with his wife and their infant daughter and shared some of his favorite holiday traditions.

“Growing up, we used to ride through different communities and look at Christmas lights, and everyone really went all out,” Billingsley said. “It seems like that has died off a little, but there are still people who do it. Every year my grandmother and I get together and have eggnog. Christmas has always been about family and spending time together as much as we can.”

Filling the role of Santa was Valley Pharmacy projects manager A.J. Hadaway, who sat beside an ornately decorated Christmas tree and welcomed visitors throughout the afternoon.

“We’re here loving on the community,” Hadaway said. “We’ve done this for the past eight years, and we enjoy every moment of it. I’ll walk out and wave at people going by. It’s just a fun time.”

Hadaway said portraying Santa is a tradition that runs in his family.

“I’m a second-generation Santa,” he said. “I grew up with my dad being Santa, and he’s still doing it. We even have pictures together where we’ve both played Santa. He’s what you’d call a professional Santa.”

Valley Pharmacy owner Craig Moore also reflected on Christmas memories from growing up in Valley and the importance of community traditions.

“The Merry-Go-Round and the manger scene always held special meaning for me,” Moore said. “They were rooted in West Point Pepperell’s commitment to the community. As kids, we made multiple trips during the season. As teenagers, we’d go there to meet girls. Later, when I had kids of my own, I introduced them to those same places.”

Moore said those memories helped inspire Valley Pharmacy’s ongoing holiday tradition.

“Getting Santa to take time out of his busy schedule is something we’ve always been able to arrange,” Moore said. “We feel like it’s a way to give back to our community and part of the fabric of our small town. Christmas can be both a joyful and difficult time for many people. No matter where you find yourself this year, our prayer is that you reflect on the story of Bethlehem and the gift of Christ.”

Claus had one final message for children in Valley and the surrounding communities.

“I’m checking it once, and I’m checking it twice,” Claus said. “I’m going to see who’s naughty or nice.”