Santa's helper

Dressed in a Santa suit, Mitch Mitchell hops into his makeshift "sleigh" to treat kids of all ages to open-air rides along the streets of Greenville, S.C. For $5 the riders listen to Christmas carols and take a spin in a souped-up Chevrolet Astro Van driven by the jolly old elf.

Mitchell considers himself a Santa's helper, giving all proceeds of his Santa's Sleigh service to support mission trips led by Buncombe Street United Methodist Church, where he is a maintenance worker.

Mitchell bought the Chevy van on eBay, removed the top and reworked the interior to transform the vehicle into a sleigh on wheels. He has driven the 15-passenger sleigh every evening during Advent except for Sundays.

"People told me I was out of my mind to try to make this sleigh, but I've always been able to do things with my hands," he said. "When I wake up, I thank the Lord above for the talent he gave me to use my hands. And it is a pleasure to be able to use them to help others."