Moonlighting:

From tax lawyer to Santa

Photo courtesy Ken Burns

Ken Burns’ advice for portraying Santa Claus includes not overeating and preparing to answer questions about Mrs. Claus.

VEGAS INC’s Moonlighting feature was designed to focus on entrepreneurs with a profitable second job, hobby or interest — something that produces extra income.

Ken Burns doesn’t earn a dime in his seasonal gig, but we’re going to spotlight him, anyway. Maybe that’s because it’s the holiday season, and we just think it’s nice that Burns, a Las Vegas tax attorney, plays Santa Claus to help aid the nonprofit organization Opportunity Village. Maybe we had a little too much egg nog and were feeling mushy. Maybe it’s because we just want to be on Santa’s nice list, for a change.

At any rate, though, Burns has been wearing the Santa suit for years to welcome kids and their parents to Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest holiday display.

“It’s a fabulous fundraiser and family event,” Burns said of the assortment of lights, rides, figurines and food that has been attracting visitors for 20 years. “It really gets everyone in the mood for the holidays.”

A native of Mississippi who moved to Las Vegas in 1986 and has worked for the law firm Kolesar & Leatham since 1996, Burns has learned a few key tricks to the Santa business.

One is that when he volunteers on Thanksgiving — which he does routinely — he doesn’t stuff himself or drink wine for the holiday.

“I have hundreds of kids sitting on my lap all night,” Burns said. “I can’t smell of alcohol or eat a lot because that would be uncomfortable and inappropriate.”

Two, he doesn’t take breaks. He volunteers for five hours each shift, listening to children’s Christmas wishes and posing for pictures with them, without stepping away.

“I told the staff to pick which 3-year-old they were going to disappoint by telling him, ‘Santa needs a break,’” Burns said. “I can’t imagine upsetting any child.”

Third, because kids are so curious, Burns prepares explanations for everything. If asked, he tells them Mrs. Claus is at the North Pole keeping the elves in line, and the reindeer are at Mt. Charleston keeping cool.

Burns’ work as Santa is only one way he has volunteered. He’s been a Boy Scout leader and a member of a training committee for Boy Scout mentors. He’s helped raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters and is a Sunday school teacher.

As a member of Opportunity Village’s Foundation Board, he assists in fundraising and keeping tabs on monetary gifts and state funding. The organization, founded in 1954, provides vocational training, community job placement, art and life skill enrichment, advocacy and social recreation programs to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

“There are some things important enough to make time for in life,” Burns says. “There’s time to watch television, or there’s time to be part of your community. Everyone can make time if they make it a priority.”

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