Community Corner

Bryan Mazey, St. Clair Shores' Santa Claus, Gives Back All Year Long

Super-volunteer Bryan Mazey is busy throughout the year helping children, veterans, seniors and others in need throughout the community.

When Bryan Mazey arrived at last December to pick up hundreds of toys purchased by employees, the leadership team at the called him "Santa Claus."

Mazey, who has a white beard and wore a red jacket to the event, is just as generous and charitable as the jolly elf.

But unlike Santa, Mazey humbly works throughout the year for children, seniors, veterans, families at Selfridge and groups throughout St. Clair Shores utilizing his connections and support of the Lac Ste. Claire Kiwanis and entrepreneurship from owning .

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"I enjoy doing it and there are a lot of things that need to be done," said Mazey, 73, who is always working on one more project to help someone. "Everyday it is something else."

When Mazey, a father of five and grandfather to 14, volunteers and works in the city, the results can be seen and unseen.

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He has spearheaded a program where businesses and organizations purchase signs and donate funds to have them placed at events around the city. Mazey often handles the set-up and tear-down of these signs.

Mazey led the effort to sell the properties on thefundraiser for

"It is a joy to work with him," said Sue Fickau, Senior Center coordinator. "He really is a die-hard supporter of St. Clair Shores."

He has delivered clothing to the Salvation Army, toys to the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team and handmade puppets to Henry Ford Health System to help with their autism program.

And then there are a number of Christmas parties and events he organizes for children in St. Clair and families at Mazey helped establish established the Team Selfridge Military Family Assistance in 2006, which helps military families in need at Selfridge during the holidays, when school begins and throughout the year.

"Bryan has been tremendous," said Deborah Schroeder, Selfridge Family Readiness Center director. "We wouldn't have been able to do this without him."

Many times Mazey doesn't see firsthand the people helped.

But there is one day he can interact one-on-one with children.

"During I am able to focus individually focus on the kids," he said.

Expect to see Mazey and his team of volunteers in the coming weeks as they sell peanuts to raise funds for children who need surgery.

And even though the 1958 graduate of doesn't have his primary residence in the city, his life revolves around his work in the community.

"I live in St. Clair Shores, but I sleep in Harrison Township," Mazey said.

Mazey's story inspired our friends at the Huffington Post, who made him The Greatest Person of the Day. Check out the link.


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