Jill Schramm/MDN Don Carter, as Santa Claus, holds Jeremia Beyersdorf as Nancy Carter, portraying Mrs. Claus, looks on during Festival of Trees in Minot Friday.

Don and Nancy Carter love to see the children smile and watch their eyes twinkle when they greet the youngsters as Santa and Mrs. Claus. They also love the mission of Dakota Hope Clinic, where they are volunteers.

When they learned a few years ago that Dakota Hope’s Christmas extravaganza, Festival of Trees, didn’t have a Santa, they volunteered to fill that void.

The Carters were welcoming children and their families at the Claus booth at Festival of the Trees on Friday and will be there again today for the second day of the two-day event.

“It’s the greatest job you could ever have,” Don Carter said. “You go from being an average Joe to you put a suit on, and all of a sudden …”

“You’re better than a superhero,” Nancy Carter finished.

“Yes, a superhero, some famous athlete or musician. Everybody loves you. Everybody wants a hug, a high five,” Don Carter said. “It’s almost magical, with the Christmas spirit, with the little kids, to see their eyes get so big and a twinkle in their eyes, smiles. It makes me feel all pumped up.”

He said Mrs. Claus is a great help with the more shy children, who see her as more approachable.

“She’s smaller. She’s softer. She’s not all gristly with the beard,” he said.

Carter, who has been playing Santa for 28 years, sports a real white beard.

Nancy Carter said it takes more than a beard for some skeptical children. She recalled a past event when she overheard a scoffer tell one of the friends in his group, “If he is real, he’ll know my name.”

When the boy approached and asked Santa if he knew his name, Mrs. Claus, who had learned that information in overhearing the nearby conversation, offered the boy’s name to Santa, who played along – much to the boy’s astonishment.

“That was really a lot of fun to see that happen,” she said.

Don Carter got his start after being hired to play Santa at a party of the oil-field subsidiary he worked for in Pennsylvania. He still returns to play the role because the Carter’s’ four children and 15 grandchildren are split between the two states. Carter has played Santa at times for company parties and daycares since coming to Minot about six years ago. He retired in September, and one of his sons has taken over the Santa role for the company party.

Nancy Carter said her children decided she needed to be alongside their father as Mrs. Claus so presented them with Santa and Mrs. Claus outfits. Nancy Carter has been enjoying her role for the past four years.

Volunteering at the Festival of Trees is a highlight for them.

“The ministry is so amazing,” Nancy Carter said.

She volunteers with Dakota Hope Clinic in the boutique that provides baby supplies to clients and in babysitting for clients during appointments.

Don Carter is a male client advocate, helping the fathers feel comfortable in the largely female environment. The men, like the women, can watch the parenting videos and earn points to spend toward baby items in the boutique. He also is available to meet one-on-one with the fathers.

The Carters had financially supported pregnancy help services in Pennsylvania and decided they wanted to get more involved after moving to Minot, especially after seeing the Dakota Hope program.

“They are Christ centered, and they are so anxious to see babies saved from an abortion,” Nancy Carter said. “I can honestly say I’ve met everybody on staff and every one of them is just genuine people who really truly care for the clients.”

She’s also witnessed the gratitude of clients for the classes and the boutique items.

“In a very small way, I am helping these people that are really truly appreciative and needing the help,” she said.

Don Carter said the ministry reaches women who have been in abusive relationships or who have grief or shame from past decisions. In addition, for those who are open to it, the Learn and Earn program provides an optional spiritual component.

“Here’s a ministry that is helping people deal with the issues that they’re struggling with, but ultimately, the most important issue is that they need to know about Jesus,” Don Carter said. “Ultimately, there’s two main goals – to introduce all the clients to Christ and also to save babies. It’s kind of neat.”

A fundraiser for the clinic, Festival of the Trees continues today at the North Dakota State Fair Center. The event features local musicians and dancers and homemade holiday treats, set against the backdrop of beautifully decorated Christmas trees.

Additional attractions include a 5K Run and 1 mile Family Fun Run as well as a vendor show, silent auction, horse-drawn wagon rides, interactive nativity with live animals, petting zoo and pony rides.

The festival concludes with a dinner and live auction. Proceeds benefit Dakota Hope Clinic’s mission to provide free, life-affirming pregnancy, parenting and family support at its locations in Minot, Tioga and Bottineau.