Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas facts for kids
FORBS trademark
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| Abbreviation | FORBS |
|---|---|
| Formation | January 1995 |
| Type | 501(c)(7) |
| Headquarters | Orange County, California |
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Region served
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National |
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Membership
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851 |
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Chairman
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Ric Erwin |
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President
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Bob Callahan |
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Formerly called
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Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas |
The Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas (FORBS) is a special group for American men who play Santa Claus. To join, members must grow and keep their own real beards. They also promise to always show Santa in a good way.
FORBS is a non-profit group. It helps its members and lets them vote on important decisions. The group is based in Orange County, California. It has members in almost every state. Local groups meet each month to chat, help each other, and learn new things. Joining costs $25 each year.
FORBS offers important benefits for its members. This includes detailed background checks. These checks are done by the same company that helps the U.S. government. They also provide special liability insurance. This insurance protects performers from unfair accusations. It offers protection from two to four million dollars for each member.
Contents
The History of FORBS: How It Started
A Commercial Idea Leads to a Lunch Meeting
In 1994, a German company called Otto Versand made a TV commercial. It showed ten Santas busy delivering gifts. The Santas had real beards and their own suits. The filming took over 12 hours. Between takes, the Santas shared stories about their jobs.
They had so much fun that they decided to meet again. They planned a lunch after the Christmas season. In January 1995, they met in La Mirada, California. One Santa suggested their group needed a name. Santa Tom Hartsfield, who was the main actor, suggested "Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas." Everyone liked the name.
Growing the Santa Community
The first lunch was so much fun they decided to meet yearly. The Santas started bringing friends. By the third year, over twenty Santas were attending. This casual lunch kept growing for ten years. Soon, 150 or more professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses gathered every January. This event became known as the Annual Santa Luncheon.
In 2003, many guests were coming to the event. Tom Hartsfield, the founder, asked Santa Tim Connaghan for help. Tim Connaghan is known as the "Hollywood Parade Santa." Guests wanted to know where to buy good Santa suits. So, Connaghan invited a company called Adele's of Hollywood to show their Santa clothes.
Soon, other sellers were invited too. An entire industry grew to support Santas. This included people who make custom costumes. There were also makers of belts and boots. Even reindeer ranchers joined in.
Workshops and Official Status
In 2005, many guests traveled from far away for the Sunday lunch. So, Tim Connaghan started a "Meet & Greet" on Saturday evening. The next year, experienced Santas began offering training. They held workshops and seminars on Saturday. The "Vendor Faire" became a two-day event.
By 2008, the group's mailing list had over 800 people. Leaders decided it was time to become an official organization. They changed the name to the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas. They started collecting yearly dues. A board of directors was also formed.
FORBS Helps During Health Crises
In 2009, the H1N1 flu threatened the Christmas season. FORBS leaders worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They arranged for professional Santas to get early vaccinations. This helped save almost all major Christmas events that year.
The organization has a long history. They say, "We Pledge Allegiance To The Reunion Luncheon." They believe this lunch started the whole modern professional Santa world. In 2019, FORBS celebrated its 25th anniversary.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was happening worldwide. FORBS again asked the CDC for early vaccinations. Chairman Ric Erwin spoke to a special committee on August 26. At the same time, FORBS started "Operation SANI-Claus." This gave members free personal protective equipment. It also showed the industry how to safely serve people during the holidays.
Some malls used clear shields to separate guests from Santas. Others used green-screen technology to make digital Santa pictures. A popular idea was the "Santa Snow Globe." This was a plastic dome. It helped parents explain why Santa was behind a barrier. They could say an elf magician accidentally trapped Santa in a snow globe.
In January 2021, the pandemic continued. FORBS held a Virtual Santa Reunion online. They invited big Santa schools and booking agencies. They showed how they kept everyone safe during the Christmas season.
FORBS in Movies and TV Shows
The organization and its members are often featured in the media. People love to see real-bearded Santas!
- 2017 - Believe: The True Story of Real Bearded Santas - This film explores the world of FORBS. It shows them as a very special group of Santas.
- 2014 - I Am Santa Claus - This movie follows five real-bearded Santas for a whole year. It shows what life is like for a man who always looks like Santa. The wrestler Mick Foley is featured in it.
- 2011 - Becoming Santa - Hollywood producer Jack Sanderson tries to become a professional Santa. This film shows his journey.
- 2010 - The Mentalist "Jolly Red Elf" - This TV episode shows a large gathering of Santas. Police visit "Santa-palooza" to investigate a death.
- 2008 - Scenes from a Mall - This is a Christmas episode from the radio show This American Life.
