The Castaic Lions Club Santa Float has completed its 32nd annual nine-night journey around the community, bringing Christmas joy to kids of all ages and leaving one family with a memory that will never be forgotten.

Each night, the float traveled to a different Castaic neighborhood, making anywhere from six to 10 stops throughout the community.

“Being Santa is a wonderful experience,” said Chris Cammarata, who took the role of Santa Saturday night. “My children grew up getting their pictures taken with Santa, and still do, on the Santa Float and are now fortunate enough to volunteer as elves, helping introduce the children to Santa.”

When the float is at each stop, children of all ages are able to tell Santa whether they were good or not this year and what they want for Christmas.

In the past, Santa has gotten off the sleigh to take pictures with elderly people and those in wheelchairs who physically can’t get on the float.

However, this year Santa had the opportunity to surprise a 13-year-old Castaic resident who had surgery on his leg Friday, making it nearly impossible for him to walk.

Mason Williams grew up sitting on Santa’s lap while on the float each year. But this year, Williams thought he was not going to be able to see Santa in person after having surgery on his femur, which he broke back in June while trying out for hockey.

Because Williams was unable to leave his house to see Santa this year, he asked his father, Byron Williams, to have Santa wave at him.

However, Mason’s father decided to ask Santa to make a video call to Mason via FaceTime from the float.

“Being able to bring him the Christmas cheer was a touching moment,” Cammarata said.

After Santa’s elves talked with Mason’s parents, they learned that he lived across the street from where the float was parked and Santa was able to go to the family’s house to pay the 13-year-old an unexpected visit.

“I was thinking I could go see him, but wasn’t sure about leaving the float,” Cammarata said. “But, as fate would have it, he was our last visit on our last stop and he was across the street. With the help of the elves and all the wonderful volunteers, I was asked to make a house call to young Mason.”

When Santa walked into the house to visit Mason, who was resting on the couch, he was overjoyed to see Santa in his home, and even asked him for “a lot of video games.”

Related: Santa Makes His Way Towards Castaic With Castaic Lions Club Float

“When Santa came in, I was so happy, because it’s not every day you will have a broken leg and have Santa come into your house,” Mason said.

It is stories like this that keep different organizations coming back each year to host a night of the float, according to organizers.

“Getting to sit with Mason and bring him some Christmas joy was truly wonderful,” Cammarata said. “Being Santa requires no real special motivation, it’s just fun. But this is a memory I will cherish forever, and getting to talk some hockey was pretty fun too.”

Laura Pearson, a volunteer for the Santa float and a witness of the joy Santa brought to the Williams family, is reminded how special this annual event is.

“This special time reminded me why I appreciate volunteering annually on the float and what the spirit of Christmas is about,” Pearson said.

Not only is this night one to remember for Santa and his elves, it will be remembered by Mason’s parents as well.

“From a mom’s point of view, it’s Christmas and my boy can’t move and has been on crutches for six months,” Alyssa Williams, Mason’s mother, said, holding back tears. “Having Santa come in just made my mommy heart so happy to see somebody go out of their way for my kid, as I would go out of my way for my kid.”

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