The Atlanta Lawyer October/November 2019 | Page 25

ELF: NIKOLE CROW
I started volunteering as an elf in 2005 - that was the first year I participated
in the Atlanta Bar Association’s “Courthouse Line” musical. Judge Bedford
has been in every show since the inception in 1998, and he invited me to
come and volunteer as an elf, so I did. I enjoyed it so much that I have
participated ever since.
ELF TALE:
In the first year or two that I volunteered as an elf, I did an
appearance at a battered women’s shelter. The address was a secret,
and was e-mailed to us on the afternoon of the event (with essentially
“burn after reading” instructions). Security had to be tight because many
of the women in the shelter had left with nothing but the clothes on their
backs and their children to escape severely abusive situations. It turned
out to be the most touching event I’ve done. I was so touched watching
these women tear up because they were extremely appreciative that
their children got to have a visit and picture with Santa and receive a gift
that I had to hold back tears myself. But I could hear Judge Bedford in my
mind saying, “Don’t break character and ruin the magic . . .” so I put on
a big smile and shook the jingle bells a little harder!
ELF: DELOISE MATHEWS
For 12 years I've been an Elf. I love kids and I'm glad to have the time to be
able to participate in Atlanta Santa.
ELF TALE:
I absolutely love seeing how kids react to Santa. Some of
the kids, from all ages, have different reactions - from being scared and
nervous of Santa to being enthusiastic and stalking him. And of course, I
love to see there faces as the pictures are being captured.
www.atlantabar.org THE ATLANTA LAWYER
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