Santa’s helper fulfilling final wish with Angel Tree program

MECHANICSVILLE, Va. (WWBT) - With a bag full of toys, one of Santa’s biggest helpers is making it his mission to spread Christmas cheer across Central Virginia.

For more than four decades, William Gibson has been assisting Saint Nicholas in the North Pole, making festivities merry and bright. Kris Kringle’s trusty companion is taking part in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, a task Gibson loves for one simple reason.

“The smiles and the satisfaction that it gives to the children as well as the adults,” Gibson said.

The bright glow among the twinkling lights gives Gibson a glimmer of hope during his darkest days.

“I’ve got stomach cancer, I’ve got bone cancer, I have lung cancer, now I have two tumors in the brain that are bleeding,” he said. “It’s progressively got worse and they’re telling me I only have multiple months, several months to be here.”

Through this prognosis, Gibson is finding peace and purpose.

“I’m persevering,” he said. “I’m going to continue to do what I need to do.”

The final wish on his list is to make it through the holiday season and be part of Angel Tree, an effort helping thousands of children in Central Virginia.

“You don’t need a pat on the back because you know what you did in your heart and it’s the right thing to do,” said Gibson.

Wishes wrapped in colorful paper and bows under the Christmas tree, a mission forever etched in the heart of Kris Kringle’s sidekick.

“Kids come up to me and it puts a smile on their faces. And, of course, the parents wanting to take pictures. All of that is just, it really warms my heart,” he said. “It’s just a tremendous, tremendous honor to be able to do that for the children and the adults.”