Submitted Photo Jim Clifford of Minot, a snowbird to Arizona, has been Santa Claus at the Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, Arizona, for five years.

When the Minot Air Force Base fire station needed a Santa Claus, Jim Clifford stepped up to take on that role. At the time he was a firefighter. Later he became the base fire chief.

For several years, Clifford played Santa on base and downtown Minot.

Now for five years, Clifford, a snowbird to Arizona, has been Santa at the Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, Arizona.

On a recent day, more than 140 families with children visited Santa and had their photos taken with him. That number has been even higher at times.

“The best thing I get out of being Santa is the kids. I love to see their eyes light up when they see me. It is so much fun talking to them too,” Clifford said.