Everyone knows that December is such a busy month for Santa that he has to deputize helpers. For the first time ever, Santa tapped Emily Cain to help him this year.

Donning a red velvet suit and a beard, she became “Mr. Santa” for the Christmas party at Andalusia Manor on Tuesday.

Because her day job is in the human resources department at Andalusia Manor, Cain said, she knows many of the residents.

“They loved it,” she said. “I asked each of them if they were on the naughty or nice list,” she said. “Some of them said they’d been naughty.”

One of the best things about being a part of the Andalusia Manor family, she said, is that employees have an opportunity to contribute to a gift fund. From this fund, every resident receives a $25 gift.

“I mean everybody,” she said. “Whether they are new, or just on a 21-day stay. You can see the happiness on their faces when their names are called.”

Cain has experience working in costume.

“I used to be the Brantley Bulldog,” she explained, adding it was a job she loved. This is different, she said, because people could actually see her face.

“I was proud to do this because this mattered more,” she said, adding that she hopes Santa needs her help in the future. “The smiles on people’s faces were just incredible.”