Santa’s Saws is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to providing efficient and lawn friendly responsible tree removal and cleanup services to property owners impacted by severe weather events in Western Kentucky, Southwestern Indiana, and Southeastern Illinois.
Founded by Scott Chandler, an experienced disaster response leader with over six years of hands-on expertise, Santa’s Saws addresses a critical gap in disaster relief efforts. While larger organizations often overlook properties with downed trees and debris in hard-to-reach areas, Santa’s Saws specializes in accessing these challenging locations.
experienced disaster response
Tree Debris Mitigation Volunteers
Whether you’ve been good or bad, we’re your disaster response helpers
With a commitment to community service and care for client’s property, enabling residents to swiftly restore their properties and regain independence.
Santa’s Saws’ unique approach minimizes lawn and property damage, a common issue with traditional skid steer equipment. By employing turf tires and utilizing mats to disperse weight, Santa’s Saws can navigate through tight spaces and access fenced backyards, providing a solution where other organizations fall short.
Utilizing an articulated mini front-end loader and a team-based approach, Santa’s Saws deploys skilled volunteer crews equipped with chainsaws, hand tools, and specialized equipment. These teams are trained in safe sawing operations, first aid, equipment handling, and communication protocols, ensuring a high level of professionalism and safety.
Join Our Team of Dedicated Volunteers
At Santa’s Saws Inc., our volunteers are the heart of our organization. Without them, all our tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) would sit idle. We’re not just looking for anyone – we’re seeking individuals who are willing to make a difference and become part of something bigger than themselves.
What We’re Looking For
Commitment to Service: Volunteers who are ready to put others first and contribute to our community-driven mission.
Team Players: Individuals who can work effectively in a group, understanding that together we can achieve more than any single person could alone.
Safety-Conscious: People who prioritize safety and are willing to learn and follow proper procedures.
What We Offer
Comprehensive Training: We don’t just hand you a chainsaw and wish you well. Our commitment to your safety and effectiveness includes:
- Safe operating procedures for all tools, equipment, and PPE
- Site hazard identification and response training
- CPR and first aid certification opportunities
Meaningful Impact: As a Santa’s Saws volunteer, you’ll directly assist property owners affected by severe weather events in Western Kentucky, Southwestern Indiana, and Southeastern Illinois.Community: Join a group of like-minded individuals dedicated to making a positive difference in people’s lives during challenging times.
How to Get Involved
If you’re ready to lend a hand and make a real impact in your community, we want to hear from you. Contact us today to learn more about becoming a Santa’s Saws Inc. volunteer and helping us provide efficient, responsible tree removal and cleanup services to those in need.
Meet our team
Our comprehensive suite of professionals caters to a diverse team, ranging from seasoned architects to renowned engineers.
Scott Chandler
Founder & President
John Carroll
Vice President
Curt Kronberg
Vice President of Technical Operations and Training
Russ Erich
Secretary and Logistics
Brad Belcher
Chief Financial Adviser and Treasurer
We’ve worked with some of the best companies.
FAQs
Who can volunteer?
Volunteers who are ready to put others first and contribute to our community-driven mission. People who can work effectively in a group, understanding that together we can achieve more than any single person could alone. People who prioritize safety and are willing to learn and follow proper procedures. This is not about you, who you are or what you can do. This is about everyone else and how WE can help them recover and regain hope for tomorrow. Sometimes, we have to stop working and listen to the ones we are working for. Sometimes listening to their experiences is more helpful – more beneficial to them than cutting up the limb in their yard. People who can do both, work selflessly as a team member and be sensitive to the needs of those impacted by a traumatic weather event are the best Santa’s Saws helpers.
We are not looking for volunteers who know how to run chainsaws or heavy equipment. We’ll be glad if you do, but it is NOT a requirement. What will be a requirement is to go through our training on chainsaw safe operations, equipment safe operations, team safe operations. – yes even if you already run a chainsaw or equipment for your day job. (We have our reasons which will be explained in the training.) Man or woman, young or old, willing to learn, listen, work within a team structure, work to a set of standards, can be a Santa’s Saws helper.
How come I’ve never heard of you before?
In July of 2023, Vice President John Carroll (John) challenged President Scott Chandler (Scott) while in the midst of a disaster zone to not wait until he was 68 to start Scott’s concept for a disaster response and recovery nonprofit business. Scott accepted the challenge and began researching and writing the business plan. At the end of April 2024, the plan was completed and circulated amongst family and friends – to include John. The board was selected in June. An awesome attorney filed the paperwork with the Commonwealth of Kentucky. August 2024, Santa’s Saws Inc. was incorporated as a nonprofit. All that to say, the business of helping your neighbors and community is not new as Scott and John can attest, but Santa’s Saws Inc. is brand new.
I’d like to volunteer, but I’m not sure about chainsaws, and operating equipment. Is there some other way I can help?
During a disaster, there is always something to do. Sign up to volunteer. We can talk about ways you can help. Can you drive and would you be willing to pick up lunch and take it to a team? Would you be willing to take calls and enter information into an online system? Can you fly a drone? Sign up to volunteer. We will try to find you something you can do to help your neighbors and surrounding communities.
Okay, I understand volunteering and helping after a disaster, but why Santa’s Saws Inc.?
In December of 2021, Scott decided that Santa Claus would not be afraid of children or the possibility they could cause him to catch COVID. So, he grew out his beard, dyed his hair and beard white. He visited a local park dressed as Santa thanks to the seamstress work of his better half. Also in December 2021, tornadoes ripped through Western Kentucky. While Scott and his family were not impacted by the tornadoes, Scott was volunteering with another organization. A couple days after the event, when Scott was off work, he arranged to meet a work coordinator from that other organization so he could be assigned some chainsaws work to help out. Scott pulled up in his red truck and white hair and beard next to the work coordinator. Upon exiting the truck, the coordinator exclaimed, holy sh*t, Santa’s come to help.
Scott has a lot of fun playing Santa and Scott is good in a disaster area working with chainsaws helping those impacted by the storms. In his mind, they just seemed to work together.