Big Wave Santa to Donate Hair to Wigs 4 Kids

After weeks of hearing the wish lists from children across Metro Detroit, the man know as Big Wave Santa will continue helping kids after Christmas by donating hair to .

David Downs, who plays Santa Claus around town and is a member of the Parrothead Society, will donate his 12-inch ponytail Wednesday to Wigs 4 Kids, a St. Clair Shores-based charity which provides wigs and support services free of charge to children and young adults experiencing hair loss due to illness. 

The New Haven resident has been playing Santa Claus since 1998, when his wife suggested he volunteer as the jolly old St. Nick at her school.

“All it took was one day. It changed my life. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” Downs said in a release. “To see kids faces excited to see Santa is priceless. To watch a child light up changes you.”

He ended up visiting 1,650 kids, in 68 classrooms the first time he played Santa. In addition to spreading joy as Santa, Downs serves as the charity chairperson for the Detroit area chapter of the Parrothead Society. 

The Jimmy Buffett fan club, which also conducts philanthropic events in the area, donated $500 Wigs 4 Kids in November.

But Downs will be giving much more Wednesday.

“We are really looking forward to having Santa in our salon,” said Maggie Varney, founder and CEO of Wigs 4 Kids, in a release. “He’s such a hero to children. And donating his hair, to give them hope, makes him even more of a hero. It’s going to be a good day for kids.”