POWERGRAMS

PROFILE There is nothing like seeing Christmas through a child's eyes, brimming full of wonderment and shining with the belief that Santa makes wishes come true. That, Phillip Mack knows firsthand. For Mack, donning Santa attire isn't confined to the holidays: It's a volunteer pastime in which he and his wife occasionally indulge throughout the year, to help bring remembrance of the Christmas season to others. On Dec. 12, Mack reveled in playing jolly St. Nick for more than 400 Poarch Creek Indian children during the annual Christmas party. "Phil was the best Santa we have ever had, hands down," said Michealine Deese, Child/Family Welfare coordinator - Family Services Department for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. "He was really personable and made the kids feel comfortable. Everyone had a wonderful time. I'll never forget hearing one little boy tell him, 'I love you, Santa.'" Arelene Mack, his wife of 35 years, added a special touch by dressing up as Mrs. Claus. Working for the Poarch Creek Indians for 29 years, she is a friend and mentor to many of the children, teaching home-life skills in the Tribal Boys and Girls Club. "Out of nine state-recognized Indian tribes, Poarch Creek is the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama," said Mrs. Mack, a special projects coordinator in Tribal Member Benefits and Resource Development. "Incredible fun" is how Phil Mack describes playing Santa. "When you put on the Santa suit, even people you know don't recognize who you are, because they're focused on the suit," said Mack, a Distribution lineman for Atmore Crew Headquarters who has worked at Alabama Power for 25 years. "Their brain tells them, 'This is Santa Claus.' Then it occurs to them, 'No, it's Phil Mack.' Most people are surprised it's me. When they figure it out, they get a pretty good kick out of it." A few years ago, as Mack's beard began turning white, he said, "Children accused me of being Santa all year long." Last year, in laughing agreement, Mrs. Mack told her husband, 'Since your beard is all white, why don't you play Santa Claus?" Beginning in July, Mack forgoes shaving for a classic "Santa Claus bushy white beard" for the holidays. Arelene Mack bought Santa and Mrs. Claus suits, modifying them for comfort and style. Wearing the Christmas garb – with her shoulder-length white hair and his beard – the couple makes believers of many onlookers. Last year, the Macks visited one of their sons in Marshalltown, Iowa, for their 6 Photo by Beverly Maldonado Longtime Atmore lineman and wife bring cheer as Mr. and Mrs. Claus Santa Claus (Phillip Mack) inside Atmore Office. grandson's first Christmas. One afternoon during the visit, Mack told his family that he was going to take a nap. Instead, he left to change into his Santa suit. He emerged in full St. Nick regalia to the delight of nieces and nephews. "They were saying, 'Here's Santa! He's here!'" Mack said. Afterward, the children watched him leave by the front door. When he re-entered the room in his regular clothing, one of his nieces ran to him, exclaiming, "You're not going to believe what you missed. Santa came while you were sleeping!'" The Macks had some fun during a 1,700-mile roundtrip to see their other son in Phoenix. Wearing his "off-duty Santa" outfit – a white T-shirt, red suspenders and a Santa cap – Mack couldn't help but grab other drivers' attention. "On I-10, driving 70 miles per hour, I can't tell you how many times people would blow right past us, then slow down to wave," he said. "It's like they thought, 'Did I really see that?' A lot of people asked us to take pictures with them, and it was a lot of fun. We had a really great time with it." Just for fun, about two weeks before Christmas, the couple wore their outfits while running errands in Atmore. As "Santa" made his way down a grocery aisle, a small boy suddenly barreled toward him. "He saw me and busted off running," said Mack, who barely had time to catch the child jumping into his arms. "All I could do was reach down and give him a big old hug," he said. "It's times like those that really catch at your heart. We've met people who cannot afford to pay for Santa photos for all their children, and it's great to make myself available for them to get Santa photos for free." By Donna Cope

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