FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. (WPVI) -- Nearly two months after a devastating fire destroyed his home, the man known to many as "Santa Scott" is back, bringing Christmas cheer to families across Bucks County.
Scott Diethorne, widely recognized for portraying Santa for more than 30 years, lost everything when fire tore through his Auburn Road home on Oct. 25. His family also lost their two dogs and a pet parrot.
Despite the loss, Diethorne returned this holiday season wearing donated Santa suits and greeting families at the Fairless Hills Garden Center.
"As long as the kids are happy, I'm happy," Diethorne said.
After the fire, the community quickly stepped in to support Diethorne, his wife and their nine children and grandchildren, donating food, clothing and more than $139,000.
"We're getting by," Diethorne said. "We're actually in a rental house now, so we'll be there until we tear down the old one and build a new one."
Diethorne said he was overwhelmed by the support he received.
"I don't think I deserved it all, but, you know, if it wasn't for them guys, I'd be further in the hole than I am," he said.
Donations also included new Santa suits, allowing him to continue his holiday tradition.
"Six altogether, a Santa from Texas sent me his old stuff," Diethorne said.
Families line up nightly to visit Santa Scott, with lines sometimes stretching out the door.
"Some days out the door the whole time, for like three hours it'll go on," said Madi Bidling Maier of Fairless Hills. "It will probably be like this the whole entire night until we close."
For many families, the visits have become an annual tradition. Kelly Stephenson of Bensalem said her family has been coming for years.
"Our dog is 10, he just turned 10, and we've been coming here since we got together and got the dog. Now, we have a seven-year-old five-year-old, and an eight-month-old, and we come here every year for Christmas to see Santa Scott," Stephenson said.
Diethorne said continuing to bring joy to children helps him through the challenges his family faces.
"Blocks out all the bad stuff, you know, keep me going. Seeing the smiles on their face is all I care about," he said.