BAKERSFIELD, CA. - You may have received a gift from a secret Santa this Christmas, but what about a phantom Santa? Well, some unsuspecting children and emergency employees had a visit by the mysterious gift givers.
Worshipers from Valley Bible Fellowship church handed out toys and treats around town.
"I'm a phantom Santa because there are a lot of little kids that didn't get much for Christmas or anything and so we decided that we would come out and try to bless the community with what they have," said Steve Ratliff, one of the phantom santas.
At least 50 children at an apartment complex in north Bakersfield lined up as Santa looked through his van for toys.
"I think it's really nice that the community works this way," said Shanae Ibarra, whose son received a gift. "They know how this complex can be and they want to help them out."
The santas and their helpers also handed out doughnuts while kids waited in line. One of the santas said being with the apartment community was his gift this morning because he wanted to spend this Christmas with his whole family.
"Everyone on this ball of dirt that we call a planet that God put us on, we're all family," said phantom santa Marc Deleon. "We all come from the same thing. It doesn't matter who or what you are. We're all the same and they're just kids that need."
Both St. Nicks and their helpers also rolled over to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital where they delivered goodies to people in the emergency waiting room and handed out doughnuts to doctors, nurses and other hospital staff working the holiday.
"I put those in the lifesaver category; nurses, doctors, policeman, fire. I mean what's a little bit of doughnuts you know?" said Deleon.
Santa also visited Mill Creek Park where he handed out blankets and hygiene products to the homeless, along with boxes of cologne.
Next year the group wants to raise at least $5,000 dollars on the GoFundMe fundraising website and deliver even more gifts around town.