'Santa Scott' Won't Cancel Appearances Despite Devastating Lower Bucks Co. House Fire

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — If you remember the old holiday feature "The Year Without a Santa Claus," Saint Nick found a way to get presents to children on December 25.

"Santa Scott" Diethorne is no different.

While the Bucks County community is providing Diethorne with presents in the form of a current fundraiser, "Santa Scott" promises he will deliver this Christmas.

Besides a GoFundMe page being launched and other fundraisers planned, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard's location at 8621 New Falls Road has announced that it will donate 30 percent of its proceeds through Thursday in its final days of the season to help Santa Scott.

In a two-minute video posted on social media this week, Diethorne choked back tears as he thanked the Bucks County community for its support after a fire destroyed his Fairless Hills home over the weekend.

"Santa Scott" Diethorne has portrayed Santa Claus since 1993, appearing over the years at the Oxford Valley Mall, Charlann Farms, and local pet stores, where he poses with pets and children during the Christmas holiday season.

Diethorne, 58, works as a truck driver/mechanic, and on the weekends at Charlann Farms in Lower Makefield.

A GoFundMe page was launched immediately following the fire by "Santa" Scott Diethorne's brother Chris to help the family recover. So far, the GoFundMe page has raised over $130,000 of its $150,000 goal.

"Yes, we lost our house, it was completely gutted," Scott said in the video. "I want to thank everybody."

The Falls Township Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire at a home on Auburn Road in Fairless Hills at 9:45 p.m. Saturday. While Diethorne and his family were not home at the time, his two dogs and a bird perished in the fire, authorities said.

"I'm trying to keep my wife, who is very sick, in good spirits," said Diethorne, 58, choking back tears as the video ended.

Scott said, despite the fire, his holiday appearances will not be ending, and that he will come back even stronger next Christmas season.

For now, Scott said he will make do with what he can gather from clothing donations.

"If you have a Santa appearance, unfortunately my desk and calendar for November was destroyed so reach out to my inbox for family to let me know," Diethorne said. "I took a picture of December for some reason. I've lost everything all of my Santa outfits so if I end up with a cheesy Santa outfit, I apologize. Mine were all custom-made. They will be better next year."