Santa himself, Bob Gray, came to Kirkland on Dec. 9 – all the way from Anacortes.

His daughter, Deb O’Brien, drove Gray to Kirkland for coffee and to visit the Santa mailbox at the southwest corner of Kirkland Ave. and Lake St. The mailbox was dedicated to Gray by the Kirkland Parks Foundation. Gray is a former Kirkland resident and prominent volunteer in the community.

Dozens of friends greeted Gray and O’Brien at Caffe Rococo on Park Lane. The group then walked to the Santa mailbox to photograph Gray as he saw the display for the first time.

“Our sincere thanks to the Kirkland Parks Foundation, whose vision was brought to life in the creation of the Santa Box and to Donna Porter, Llew Johnson, Renata Simpson and Rick Ferens for design, construction and decoration of the mailbox,” said Don McGehe, who photographed the event.

Gray was honored in March of 2015 as an “everyday hero” by the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland for his long-time service to many different Kirkland organizations.

Gray’s service to the community started when he retired at 55. He got involved working with kids at a preschool in Kirkland, which set him on a path of service and giving for the next 35 years. As an example of his caring and generosity, Gray personally sponsored several young adults in the Kirkland area through college – an opportunity they otherwise wouldn’t have had.

Gray volunteered with the Forgotten Children’s Fund (FCF), an organization dedicated to making Christmas a happy time for many children in need and their families. Each year FCF has Santa and his elves deliver gifts and food baskets to many families in the Seattle area.

Gray volunteered at M-Bar-C Ranch, owned and operate by FCF. The organization is located on Whidbey Island and is a camp-like setting for disabled children. The Ranch provides a western adventure in a safe environment.

The former Kirkland resident also worked as a volunteer with the Farm Youth Outreach Program, helping to provide food, clothes and other necessities to children in need along with their families.

Gray worked with Attain Housing where his new ”family” considered him the “grandpa” that entertained kids at all their functions.

On his 90th birthday, Gray specifically requested no gifts and asked that donations be made to Attain Housing. His birthday raised about $2,000 for the organization.

To many in Kirkland, he is fondly known as “Bob the Balloon Man”. He is famous for his balloon art and mostly his balloon animals. He has often said while on a walk around Kirkland.

“My job is to give biscuits to dogs and balloons to kids and ‘pretty women’. If it makes them smile, it makes me smile,” Gray said.

He has spent countless hours at children’s parties and other festivities doing his balloon magic and bringing smiles.

Gray also volunteered with Hopelink where he assisted with collecting day-old produce from QFC and delivering it to the food bank in Kirkland several times a week.