Garbage Truck Santa Debuts His Sleigh

Friday, 15 November 2019 14:45

Unveiling the road ready Christmas garbage truck, redecoration with Chief Elf Ryan Henderson, Garbage Truck Santa Wayne Henderson and GoFundMe Campaign Manager Jordan Kasprzak

Garbage Truck Santa, known for most of the year as Wayne Henderson, held a press conference today at the Yukon College to announce some exciting developments. Henderson has been a famous sight around Whitehorse for the past 27 years after first donning his Santa suit in 1991. Over the years his tradition has evolved from just the costume to ornate lights and decorations on a regulation sized garbage truck.

Henderson explained that he first decided to take on the character thanks to a devoted young fan, who would wait for him every single morning when he came to collect the trash. After checking with his supervisor, Henderson bought a Santa suit and wore it in his truck for a few rounds that week. He did that the next two years as well, but pretty soon lights, decorations and candy canes became part of the act as well. “I love giving back to the city, I’ll hand out 3,000 candy canes in four days” said Henderson.

This year the tradition is taking one step further. The Whitehorse local was sold a garbage truck for $1 to continue using for his annual rounds. The truck needed a transmission, but after Jordan Kasprzak started a GoFundMe campaign and the community pulled together, $10 000 was raised to get the truck up to Santa’s and city standards. The truck, according to Henderson is up to snuff. Yukon College instructor, Doug McRae and his Heavy Equipment Mechanics class installed new tires and completed a safety inspection on the vehicle. Henderson also took the time to thank his sponsors including Takhini Trailer Park, Inland Kenworth, Pelly Construction, Mercer Contrating and all of the individuals and businesses that donated to the GoFunMe campaign to keep the Garbage Truck Santa tradition alive.

Henderson finished by confirming that the tradition is one that is very dear to his heart. He says that he looks forward to continuing for many years to come but should the time come for him to step down he knows there is a chief elf ready for a promotion; his son Ryan Henderson. You can see the famous truck on the roads as soon as December 15.

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