LOWER PAXTON TWP., Pa. (WHTM) - At one Central Pennsylvania elementary school, settled in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, is a librarian that takes the holiday spirit to a different level.
Paxtonia Elementary School's very own Mr. Baker, braves the cold weather in the early morning hours during school drop-off to bring smiles to all faces.
Bob Baker has been the librarian at Paxtonia Elementary for 7 years, but this tradition started long before. "So, it started, wow, a long time ago, I've been teaching a long time, so this started back in the 90's," said Baker.
Baker said he would dress up for the annual Christmas party at his previous school and all those costumes ended up coming with him when he started at Paxtonia.
"Now it's to the point, every day after thanksgiving, up to Christmas, wearing some kind of Christmas get up to just brighten the spirit," said Baker.
Baker has dressed up as Ralphie from a 'Christmas Story,' a present box, grandma got run over by a reindeer and of course, elf on the shelf. He said it never gets old to him, knowing the impact it has in and out of school.
"I was recently out shopping with my wife and an older lady walked up to me and she said i want you to know you warm my heart, she's like I lost my spouse about a month ago and things have been really tough, seeing your spirit warms my heart. so that was really awesome you never know when you're going to touch someone who really needs it right?" said Baker.
When Baker is back in school, he is no different, bringing those drop-off smiles into hallways and classrooms. "Some people would just worry what people are going to think and I learned a long time ago not to worry about that. Just enjoy yourself and let yourself live in the moment," he said.
Baker said he is just like Buddy the Elf, sharing that smiling is his favorite too.