ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A special visitor appeared at Mercy Hospital St. Louis’ neonatal intensive care unit on Sunday – Santa Claus.

Santa has been visiting the NICU for the past 30 years, spreading Christmas cheer to families during the holidays.

Over the decades, he's met numerous families and even held siblings born several years apart. Many nurses come in on their day off just to watch Santa make his rounds.

"Every year, everyone says, 'I want to work the Santa Day! I want to work the Santa Day!' We don't work on a Saturday, but we had to come in and see him because he's our bud,” NICU nurse Yolanda Tatum said. “And just to have him create memories for these families that are going through this not ideal time, it means the world to us.”

The “right jolly old elf” says seeing everyone there and spreading cheer is a gift.

"It brings me great joy. It brings the families joy, and it brings joy to the gift of life. The gift of life is a beautiful thing. We've all been given that gift and we get to share that gift,” Santa said. “And now, we get to share it here in the hospital with these wonderful nurses and doctors who do such incredible work."

Each of the families Santa visits received a special keepsake photo of the visit as well as a special goodie bag from Hannah's Hope.