Matthew Koch will be the first one to tell you he's had a tough life. He grew up with abusive parents, went through a divorce and then experienced kidney failure, which led to a transplant a few years ago. But Koch was determined to maintain optimism in the face of setbacks.

"I have been through a lot, but those trials and tribulations have shaped me to be who I am today," said the remarried father of three young girls. "Not many of us get a second chance at life, so I'm trying very hard to take advantage of that, to be there for my kids as much as I can. I wake up, and I choose to put a smile on my face. I'm just a happy guy."

It's fitting, then, that Koch will soon don the suit of the jolly old elf himself when he portrays Santa Claus for the Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce.

Koch, who is a Realtor with the Koch Garpstas Realty Group in Mount Joy, first stepped into the iconic holiday role in 2019.

He was a perfect fit. Koch is known as the "Bearded Realtor," but he puts on a fake beard to play Santa, since his own beard is red.

"Kids will pull on it," he said with a laugh.

Beyond the beard, Koch embodies Santa's friendly presence, putting even the shyest children at ease.

"I'm not afraid to connect with the kids and be interactive with them," he said. "I'll do whatever I can to help them get a picture taken. I'm not afraid to have conversations with the kids, to get out of my chair and go to them if that's better for them."

Children respond just as enthusiastically to Koch's Santa. "Kids will bring me pictures they've drawn or write me cards thanking me," he shared. "I have kids who bring me cookies. I love chocolate chip cookies. These kids have no clue who I am, but they're giving me stuff. It's the best."

He said it's not hard for him to get into character, since he loves Christmas and he loves sharing joy, but it's sometimes a challenge to make sure his own daughters don't see him suiting up.

"I tell people that Santa can't be everywhere at once, so he put people on this Earth to be his helpers," Koch shared. "I am a direct line to Santa."

Serving as Santa also helps Koch give back, something that's important to him.

"I love community events and being able to help my community," he said. "I love that this is a low-stress, no-pressure way to meet Santa. We don't charge anything, and it's a very relaxing experience."

He hopes everyone will come out to meet him, even if that means he's facing a large crowd of visitors.

"We want as many people from the community as possible to come to this event," he remarked. "We want lines out the door. If we go past the two-hour time slot, we'll stay. We want to make it a party. The more the merrier."

He also encourages others to put on a Santa suit if there's a need in the community. "It doesn't take a lot to do this, and I feel like I'm a good fit for it," he said. "I try to bring as much joy as I can to people and be kind to people. I want to share my love for the kids, my love for life and just be happy. That's who Santa is."

Santa's public appearances in Mount Joy will be presented by the Chamber's "North Pole Liaison," Koch Garpstas Realty Group, said Michele Emenheiser, Chamber executive director. "Lanco Federal Credit Union will provide a 5-by-7 photo with Santa for each family, and Landscape Impressions has donated a Christmas tree to add a festive touch to the photographs," she said. "The Friends of the Milanof-Schock Library will be offering a fun make-and-take craft for children again this year. The visits with Santa events are made possible through the support of Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce members."

Santa will greet people at the Mount Joy Borough Office, 21 E. Main St., during Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon. He will also visit the Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy, on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m.