“Never pass up a chocolate chip cookie,” Leon Taylor laughs.
Sporting a white beard and wearing a red fleece with jeans, he looks like a modern Santa Claus (despite pairing his cookie with tea instead of milk).
For the past three Decembers, Leon has embraced the role of Santa. It started when his church needed someone to help at an event with the Beaverton Literacy Council. Leon decided to get his own red suit the following year and offer his time to other organizations in the area, including the Beaverton ReStore.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Leon says. “Very few people are unhappy to see Santa.”
But being jolly ol’ Saint Nick is a big responsibility. “You can’t take it lightly,” Leon explains. “Little kids really do believe. So if you behave in a fashion that is not Santa-appropriate, I think it disappoints them.”
For Leon, it’s another expression of a lifetime of service. He started volunteering with Habitat for Humanity back in 1988, after coming across a booth at a community fair. Leon was working as an accountant at the time, and felt more comfortable with a calculator than a hammer.
So Leon started helping with accounting and eventually joined the board, serving until 2020. He remains an active member of Habitat’s Interfaith Committee. His church community, Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ, often volunteers as a group at the Beaverton ReStore.
“The ReStore is a lot of fun,” Leon says. “A lot of times we’ll just take one section and clean it up. You get such a sense of accomplishment.” He adds that the experience brings people together. “It’s a good way for us to have fellowship, to get to know each other outside of church. I highly recommend it for church groups.”
His motivation to give back comes from values rooted in his faith, though he shares them in a way that feels universal: show love by serving others. “You feed the hungry, you clothe the naked, you honor the stranger,” Leon says. “Housing is not directly part of that but… it’s all of a piece. You have to take care of those who are less fortunate.”
Leon encourages others to find volunteer opportunities that bring joy — whether that’s building, sorting donations, or spreading holiday cheer. “Find something that is fun for you to do,” he says. “And don’t be afraid to try different things.”
Don’t miss your chance to meet Santa Leon at the ReStore!
(He’s also available for bookings via his website here.)
- Gresham ReStore: Saturday, Dec. 20 from 11 am-1 pm
- Portland ReStore: Sunday, Dec. 21 from 11 am-1 pm
Write a letter to Santa and take photos in a cozy corner, complete with candy canes. Leashed pets are welcome!
Want to volunteer with Habitat? Learn more about opportunities here.
