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Every Christmas Eve for 30 years, David Waud donned a red suit and white beard and traveled to homes to play Santa Claus for children.
The parents paid Santa for each visit.
Then Santa gave all the money to Saint Leonard’s Ministries.
A longtime supporter and board member, Waud will receive the Founders Award at the October 24 celebration of our 70th Anniversary.
One aspect of life at Saint Leonard’s that stands out to Waud is the fact that about 40% of staff previously lived on our campus.
“I think it’s amazing how many Saint Leonard’s staff members are former residents,” Waud says. “They’ve been through the program, and they know exactly how to help the men and women coming in. I’m always amazed how Saint Leonard’s has done so well with that, and I’ve always been amazed with the success rate.”
“It’s so lucky for the City of Chicago to have a place like Saint Leonard’s.”
A retired filmmaker who has visited every ocean and explored wreckage from the Titanic, Waud spent a career making movies about underwater life to provide educational programming to schools across the country. His film projects date back far enough that he has used projector slide shows, 16-millimeter film, video tape and high-definition video.
His introduction to Saint Leonard’s came when he and his wife Pam attended a charity event 30-plus years ago. They met Bob Dougherty, then the executive director at Saint Leonard’s, and became fast friends (Dougherty did all the driving on those Christmas Eve visits by Santa).
Waud believed in Dougherty’s vision to grow Saint Leonard’s campus with more buildings such as Grace House, the home for women; Saint Andrew’s Court, the single-room living quarters for men; and the Michael Barlow Center, the educational and workforce development hub.
He served on the Board of Directors for a three-decade run, concluding his final term this year.
“When I started, the campus was half the administration building it is now and the one residence on the corner,” Waud says. “It has just grown tremendously.”
Waud’s support of returning residents extends to his community via the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, which has established a pen-pal program with people who are incarcerated.
Reflecting on the award he will receive on October 24, he says:
“Since I became involved with Saint Leonard’s, I’ve learned so much more about the criminal justice system and how Saint Leonard’s is so needed. I’ve very honored to get the Founders Award. I’m glad because it’s going to keep me involved, and I want to stay involved. I hope I’ve earned it.”
David, speaking on behalf of our entire community, you have.
