Mrs. Santa Claus Is a Quotarian!

Dressed as jolly Mrs. Santa Claus, Quotarian Joanne Jaycox and her husband, Bill, have spent the past 25 holiday seasons spreading joy and hope to needy people in South Florida.

The costumed couple visits hospitals, schools, nursing homes, migrant communities, and anyone who needs an uplifting experience during the season. And, in conjunction with the Fort Lauderdale Quota club, in which Joanne serves as service chair, the couple entertains deaf and hearing-impaired students at two local schools with a "Signing Santa" party before school recesses for winter break.

Because of their outstanding community service, Joanne and Bill received the George Washington Medal from the Broward County Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.

Joanne, a member of the Fort Lauderdale club since 1972, says sharing our gifts with others can bring about positive results. "In all our lives there are people who believe in us, comfort us, encourage us to reach for our dreams," she explains. "YOU are that person for so many others. Seeing themselves through your eyes, they begin to understand how special they really are."

—Mary Margaret Yodzis, Senior Writer
© 2000