Southport Magazine

If I didn’t know any better, I would swear I just met Santa and Mrs. Claus!  Turns out, I met Santa’s Oak Island helpers, Philip and Heather Kinlaw, and boy do they look the part! (A younger, thinner version, of course.)   Philip has a full, curly white beard, a round nose, and twinkly blue eyes.  And that’s without the costume!  His wife Heather has a sweet face and a calm, orderly demeanor that seems a perfect balance for Jolly Old St. Nick. The Kinlaws, who will appear in costume as Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Old Bridge Diner on Dec. 9, are raising money this holiday season to help local families in need through their charity, The Claus Cause. 

Philip and Heather Kinlaw have been the managers of Doodles convenience store in Oak Island since 2022. Heather, a retired nurse, and Philip, who had a long career in the nuclear field, were looking for a change in their lives that would allow more time to spend with their family, which includes seven grandchildren.  The Kinlaws’ daughter and son-in-law, Briana and Mike Jones, own Doodles and the legendary establishment next door, Old Bridge Diner.  After toughing out a few rough pandemic years, the Jones asked Philip and Heather for help managing the store.  It turned out to be a perfect opportunity for all of them.

A Family Act

The Kinlaws started playing Santa and Mrs. Claus in 2021, at the request of Briana and Mike. The Joneses, who also own Crossroads Gathering Place, wanted to do something fun for their customers during that first post-Covid holiday season.

“We love doing this kind of thing,” Philip said. “So we were happy to do it for them.”

They did, however, have one very big concern.

“We were afraid of how our granddaughter Ava, who was 6 years old at the time, might react if she recognized us in costume,” explained Heather.

With the help of some friends, the Kinlaws came up with a very merry plan. While they were visiting with Ava one day, a few elves from the North Pole dropped by to deliver a very official looking letter from Santa asking for their help, along with a large box containing costumes for a Santa Claus, a Mrs. Claus, and one very small elf!  Ava, who was already aware that Santa had helpers for all those shopping mall appearances during the holidays, was thrilled to be called up for elf duty!

That year, the spirit of the holiday was shining brighter than Rudolph’s red nose. Customers who stopped by for pictures with Santa, or maybe just to take a peek at his naughty/nice list, began leaving unsolicited donations. The Kinlaws, it turns out, are well known for their generosity and history of helping others.  Heather and Philip, a retired Navy submariner, are strong supporters of our local veterans. They decided to place the holiday donations in a collection box for the Masons that sits near the cash register in Doodles.  Those donations go to the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, North Carolina, a place that provides a safe, nurturing home for children in need.

The Claus Cause Takes Flight

Overwhelmed by the generosity of their customers, Heather and Philip decided to start “The Claus Cause” in 2022 as a means to collect and distribute donations to Southport and Oak Island families in need during the holiday season. They set a monetary goal that would allow them to help three local families, identified through contacts at local churches and the Oak Island Police Department’s Community Outreach Officer, Victor Denoble.  By the end of the season, donations were nearly double what they hoped for!

The Claus Cause was able to help the three families by purchasing clothes, shoes, crafts, books, toys, and many other “wish list” items, including a basketball hoop for one very happy child.  They also provided each family with a full Christmas dinner from Publix, as well as DVDs and snacks for a movie night.  

“With the extra money, we purchased winter coats and hats for two other needy families and paid the utility bill for another family that was having a hard time,” Heather recounted.

Spreading Joy!

This year, the Kinlaws are hoping to raise enough money to help five families fulfill their Christmas wish lists. To fund the mission, the Kinlaws created die cut ornaments that list various monetary amounts, which customers can “purchase” to make their donations.  As of mid-November, the wall above Doodles’ refrigerator section was already covered with ornaments!  For people who prefer to make donations online, there are Claus Cause postcards at the Doodles register with a QR code. The Kinlaws are also donating fees they collect for holiday appearances as Santa and Mrs. Claus, including the Oak Island Police Department holiday party and the Oak Island Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Going forward, the Kinlaws hope to expand the Claus Cause to support more families, as well as veterans and elderly citizens in Oak Island and Southport.  They truly personify the meaning of the season, spreading joy by providing hope to those in need.

“Everybody can do a little. Nobody has to do everything,” said Philip, with a twinkle in his eye.

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Stop by Doodles on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 am to 2 pm to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Pictures with the Clauses are free! Donations to The Claus Cause will be gratefully accepted through that date.

For more information on The Claus Cause, or to hire the Kinlaws for an event, call Heather at 910-233-7589 or send an email to reindeerpilot@yahoo.com.