Around Christmastime, Santas of all shapes and sizes wake from their jolly slumber to make appearances at malls, community events and parties. Wichita’s Mike Dowell, 57, is one of these local Santas.

Every year around the world, hundreds of millions of children wait anxiously for Santa Claus to arrive and bring presents and good cheer. But what if Santa never came? What if this year the reindeer ...