Santa Claus, a volunteer child advocate and Christian Monk living in Incline Village, won the 2009 Peace Prize presented by the Santa Claus Peace Council in Antalya, Turkey.

Santa Claus is founder of The Santa Claus Foundation that advocated for millions of children who are abused, neglected, exploited, abandoned, homeless, and institutionalized.

Santa Claus, which is his legal name, is a Christian Monk in The Order of The Anam Cara and an ordained Priest in the Apostles' Anglican Church.

Since 1993, The Santa Claus Peace Council in Turkey has promoted international peace, utilizing the well-known image of Santa Claus, and recognized the Dalai Lama's efforts with its Peace Prize in 1995. Emphasizing Santa's loving, giving, and peaceful nature, The Santa Claus Peace Council has established a growing network of representatives around the world.

Santa Claus believes the greatest gift one can give is love. Accepting the Peace Prize, Santa Claus emphasizes that everyone should strive for peace - beginning within each child, then in every family, every community, every country, and throughout the world.

For more information visit www.TheSantaClausFoundation.org.