Three years ago, someone stole Santa from the yard of Fulton firefigher Steve Knowles.
He replaced the 35-inch-tall illuminated icon with another. It, like the previous version, also went missing.
Knowles admitted he was pretty mad about it. He said he threatened to hunt down the perpetrators - which happened to be his co-workers.
"Some folks kind of played a prank on him," fellow Fulton firefighter Joey Mirth said.
Now, it's become a thing. Every year, Santa goes missing. Every year, people donate money to get him back, and that money goes to support Shop with a Hero, a program where local children are escorted by area first responders to Walmart to purchase Christmas gifts and necessary items for their families and themselves. This year's event is Dec. 15.
"There's a lot of kids that need a Christmas," Knowles said. "They go shopping (at Walmart) and get stuff for their families."
Last year, about $1,000 was raised, Mirth said.
"We haven't quite raised $100," he said Tuesday. "We need help."
There are donation envelopes available at both Fulton fire stations: 1201 Westminster Ave. and 151 Tennyson Road. People can also go on Facebook to: TAKEN Santa Edition, and ask about donations.
"If any business wants Santa to come and visit, we'll bring him by," Mirth said. "Just leave a message on the Facebook page."
So far, Santa has been spotted on the back of a big truck headed for St. Louis. He's baked cookies. Last weekend, he went to a University of Missouri football game and hung out with Columbia Fire Department members. Santa's also been seen on rooftops and appeared at a Fulton Fire Department safety and training committee meeting. On Tuesday, he visited the Warming Tree at the Fulton Sun, where warm coats, gloves, hats and scarves are being collected for SERVE, Inc.
"We're trying to get some more adventures for him," Mirth said.
Knowles said Santa may show up in Fulton's Christmas parade Saturday, which starts at 1 p.m.
Raising this money for these children's holiday is personal, Knowles said.
"It always hits home," he added. "My parents worked very hard, but some years, we didn't get a whole lot. I love this community, and we're just trying to get kids a good Christmas."