For most people, Santa is a symbol of joy — of generosity, laughter, and the magic of the season. For Joe and Dawn McGee, that red suit represents something even deeper: faith, redemption, and the story of how God can use pain to bring light to others.
A Story Rooted in Love and Faith
Joe and Dawn's love story began 40 years ago at a church softball game — two months later they were engaged, and seven months after that, married. Together they built a life anchored in family, faith, and service. They raised three children — Grace, Zach, and Claire — and today, their joy comes from being "Ahdah and Nana" to four grandchildren.
When the McGees moved to Senoia, Joe said he wanted to live "somewhere I can get to my business quick — and my grandkids quicker." Dawn smiles when she talks about the move, describing the downtown allure and the neighborly feel that made Senoia home.
A Brother's Influence
Before Joe ever became Santa, he looked up to his brother David Fordham, the original Santa in the family. Growing up in Griffin, David was the kind of older brother who led by quiet example. He worked from the time he was ten years old to help support their family, bought their first bedroom suite at age eleven, and even bought Joe his first bike.
David's heart was huge — and so was his faith. Despite facing years of health struggles, he lived every day with gratitude and joy. When his twin granddaughters were born prematurely in 2007 — after spending months in the hospital unsure if their little two-pound bodies would make it — David greeted them at home wearing a Santa hat. That moment lit a fire in him, one that would define the rest of his life. He attended the Charles W. Howard Santa School in Michigan and devoted himself to bringing joy to families everywhere.
Even as his health declined, David's light never dimmed. When he passed away in December 2010, Joe was by his side — and the loss left a void no one could fill.
From Loss to Calling
In 2012, Joe received his own cancer diagnosis. During treatment at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, he had what he calls a "God moment."
"I saw a little bald girl in the lobby," Joe says. "I knew right then why the Lord sent me there. It was my turn to pick up where David left off."
That's when Santa Joe was born — not as a character, but as a calling.
The Santa David Children's Fund
To honor his brother's memory, Joe and David's daughters first began The Santa David Scholarship Fund, raising $4,000 and donating 100% of the proceeds. That effort inspired the creation of The Santa David Children's Fund, which supports Child Life Specialists and pediatric cancer programs. These specialists help children find courage in the face of fear — through laughter, play, and faith.
Since the fund's creation, it has donated almost $600,000 directly to children and families in need. "Every dollar goes where it should," Joe says. "We're just the hands — God does the work."
Dawn: The Steady Heart Beside Him
Behind every great Santa is an even greater Mrs. Claus. For more than forty years, Dawn has been Joe's partner, encourager, and rock. A retired Delta flight attendant, she spent decades caring for others — and that same kindness defines her at home.
Two years ago, Dawn faced her own life-threatening battle: a brain aneurysm that nearly took her life. "I knew something wasn't right," she says, "and I kept seeking answers until someone listened." Her faith — and Joe's unwavering support — carried her through recovery.
Together, they've faced heartbreak most couples never imagine: losing their daughter Claire to complications from diabetes, enduring cancer, and walking through profound grief. Yet through it all, their faith has only grown stronger. "When everything feels uncertain," Dawn says, "you hold tighter to the only thing that's certain — God's goodness."
Faith, Purpose, and the True Gift of Christmas
Today, Santa Joe continues to bring smiles to children across Georgia — from parades and hospitals to photo sessions and holiday events. But ask him what keeps him going, and he'll tell you without hesitation: "It's not about the suit. It's about Jesus."
He believes that every smile, every hug, and every story shared as Santa is a chance to point people back to the real reason for the season — the hope found in Christ.
"David showed me how to love people," Joe says. "Dawn showed me how to stay faithful. Jesus showed me what to live for."
Their story isn't just about Santa — it's about surrender. About choosing faith in the face of loss, and joy in the midst of pain. And in true Santa fashion, Joe and Dawn continue giving — not because they have to, but because love compels them to.
The Santa David Children's Fund
What began as a tribute to Joe's brother David Fordham has grown into a mission that brings comfort and joy to children battling cancer. The fund supports Child Life Specialists and pediatric cancer programs — helping young patients find courage, hope, and a reason to smile during treatment. Since its founding, the fund has donated almost $600,000 to CHOA and UFHPTI that support children battling cancer and families in need, ensuring every dollar goes where it matters most. Dawn and Joe are adamant that every dollar donated goes to where it is needed and no donor dollars are used for the expense of the fund.
To learn more or make a donation, visit www.therealdealsanta.com.