Santa Jumbo Cletis Helsel, Instructor

Santa Jumbo Cletis Helsel been Santa since 1983 when he took the rains over from his Dad. Yes, he is a second generation Santa!

In 2008 Jumbo retired from his "other" job and became a Mall Santa, and he has never looked back. Since then Santa Jumbo has been honing his craft with appearances at various malls in Michigan and around the country, including: The Russell Bazaar (Detroit, MI), Gander Mountain (Flint, MI), Fairlane Town Center (Dearborn, MI), The Rim Rock Mall (Billings, MT) The Great Lakes Mall (Mentor, OH), The Macomb Mall (Roseville, MI), Franklin Park Mall (Toledo, OH). And this year will be his 12th year at Oaks Mall in Novi, Michigan!

Extremely active in the Santa community, Santa Jumbo has attended several Santa schools over his long career and has been a team member at Santa gatherings in Santa Claus, IN, Albion, NY, and Gatlinburg, TN.  He is one of the co-founders and the President of the Great Lakes Santas Inc. which is 501(c)3 nonprofit charity. This special charity is all about helping children and their families at Christmas.  And Santa Jumbo has been awarded the prestigious Santa Claus Oath Medal of Honor.

The Northern Lights is proud to welcome Santa Jumbo to our team of instructors this Fall session!