Wayne Henderson spends the weeks leading up to Christmas making his list, checking it twice, planning his route, and scraping the ice, as he prepares his electric light garbage truck and Santa suit for what has become a Yukon winter tradition for nearly three decades now.
Yukoners delight at the opportunity of seeing “Garbage Truck Santa” cruising the streets of Whitehorse in what is undoubtedly the most flamboyant vehicle in the territory with more that 3000 light bulbs and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer on the front of his full-sized garbage truck. You can’t help but smile and wave as Santa blasts his airhorn, flashes Rudolph’s shiny red nose, and shout’s through the P.A. system a hearty HO HO HO from the driver’s seat.
Garbage Truck Santa has been featured in magazines, news articles and a full length video documentary, chronicling the humble beginnings of our well-dressed local winter celebrity who is held dear in the hearts of people far and wide.
During my call from Santa today, I asked him to recount his early years in the 1990’s when he first dawned the jovial red Santa suit while out doing his traditional garbage route pickup in Whitehorse. From what was a “one off” fun idea in its origin, to the international notoriety he enjoys today, Garbage Truck Santa reflects on his successes and struggles, and what he personally gets out of bringing smiles to the thousands of happy people he meets each year.
Our modern-day Santa clearly has a big heart. His personal conviction of simply spreading some Yule Tide joy during the darkest days of December, has now become a community supported highlight of the winter season. Garbage Truck Santa ( Wayne Henderson ) now has a network of local individual and businesses who wholeheartedly support his efforts in all regards to help him dawn his Santa suit each Christmas season, so he can continue to bring joy into our community.
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I hope you enjoyed this podcast, pictures, and links and I thank you for joining me as a “M.A.Y.L. carrier”, as we deliver our amazing Yukon life stories to the outside world.
Cheers
“Trapper Dan your Renaissance Man”
Daniel Halen
Very well put together dan, 😊 wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.
Garbage truck Santa 🎅🏻
Thanks G.T.S. ( Santa Wayne )
It was great to get your story on MAYL for everyone to hear the details of your journey. I speak for everyone in The Yukon when I say we really appreciate what you’ve done for our community over the years. Especially during Covid times, when the opportunity to smile and wave as you drive by is such a random bit of joy in the middle of this mess.
I wish you continued success in all your future endeavours and hope to meet up with you for a coffee in the near future now that your sleigh is put to rest for the season.
Cheers
Dan