Every year around Christmas, the children of the Pleasant Valley neighborhood are invited to meet Santa Claus.

And if any curious child is daring enough to tug even just a little bit on Santa’s big white beard, they find out it is the real thing.

Getting his beard yanked doesn’t hurt, according to Santa, who in this case is better known to grownups as Cameron Nelson. That’s because the white dye he puts in his beard makes the hair very stiff, he said.

Portraying the jolly old elf is but one of Nelson’s many service-minded endeavors in the Fort Dodge community. He said he has a hard time saying no, and his community benefits from that.

In his most high profile role, Nelson is serving his second term representing Ward 2 on the Fort Dodge City Council. He said he enjoys the one-on-one time he spends working with residents to address their concerns and problems.

Being a member of the council requires a commitment that extends beyond the standard two council meetings a month. But it is hardly the only thing Nelson is involved in.

His list of activities includes Fort Dodge Young Professionals, the Leadership Fort Dodge Steering Committee, Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Ambassadors, Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance concierge, Stage Door Productions board, vice president of the Lifeworks Charitable Foundation board, Webster County EMS Essential Service Committee, Knights of Columbus, Pleasant Valley Awareness Committee, Noon Rotary Club and Webster County Crime Stoppers.

For all of his efforts, he received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Growth Alliance in March. “I believe that Fort Dodge is a better place for the time that I spent and that is what I care about,” he said. “I’ve never sought any sort of recognition.”

There is a different, rewarding aspect to his work with each of those groups, according to Nelson. For example, he said, being on the Lifeworks Charitable Foundation board enables him to work side-by-side with people with disabilities who are served by the organization.

He credits his wife, Melissa, with supporting his efforts.

“My wife is amazing … he said.”If there’s a volunteer of the year award, it should be given to her.”

A sense of service to the community, he said, “was just kind of instilled in me at a young age.”

It was instilled in him by his parents. His father, Quintin, was a Fort Dodge police officer for 32 years who retired with the rank of captain. His mother, Rhonda, is a member of the Lions Club and helps to conduct the annual Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash.

Portraying Santa Claus was one of his first community service endeavors. He said about seven years ago, Sherry Washington asked him to play Santa at Coppin Chapel AME Church. Nelson, who describes himself as a “big guy with a big beard,” proved to be a natural in the role.

Serving on the board of the Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa was another of his early civic commitments.

“I got asked to do more at that point,” he said.