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Santa comes to Washington Twp.
Schooley's Mountain Fire Co., St. Nick join to deliver trading cards, safety tips
WASHINGTON TWP. -- Andrew Nazzari darted across his icy lawn wearing nothing but pajama pants and a grin just after 10 a.m. Saturday. Although he had been up since 6:30 a.m., the 6-year-old could not be bothered with putting on a shirt or shoes when he heard the sirens that signaled Santa's arrival. His mother, Toni, ran behind him and slipped on his fleece jacket just in time to shoot a photo of her rambunctious son with St. Nick before he was on his way to the next group of smiling kids. "This is a highlight for him," she said as she scooped him into her arms to protect his bare feet. Sixteen volunteer firefighters from the Schooley's Mountain Fire Co. escorted Santa in Fire Engine 3-1 as he handed out candy canes, fire safety pamphlets and fire truck trading cards to dozens of children Saturday. It's a 10-year-old tradition for the fire company, which just started sending out two Santas in the past few years. "As big as Washington Township has become, it's still a community," said former chief Jeff Lloyd. "I have two grandkids. To see how much joy it brings the kids makes the whole day worth it." This year was the second year Doug Merrill, a volunteer of the Long Valley Fire Department, dressed up as Santa for the tour. "I always thought seeing Santa come by my neighborhood was a big deal," he said. "I never thought I would ever become Santa." Kids have occasionally tugged at his curly white beard or cried in fear; most of them are just excited to see him, he said. Three-year-old Will Carrera had one question for Santa: "Why are you traveling on a fire truck?" Santa told Will and sister Katie that his reindeer were resting, then wished them a merry Christmas and told them said he'd see them soon. Frank Ferraro got a call from a relative that Santa was making his rounds and tracked the fire truck down to the Emmanuel Bible Church parking lot. Before bundling up his two sons, Frankie, 3, and Joey, 2, he grabbed a video camera to document the encounter, which ended with the two children hiding their heads in their mother's jacket. Christen Ferraro said were a bit of stage fright "but they'll be talking about this for days." Santa also made house calls to children with special needs, including Matt Nickel, 17, who was in his driveway holding a camera as the truck arrived. "I look forward to seeing him every year," Matt said after a fire fighter snapped their picture. It took the two truck about four hours to snake through the township's streets, just enough time to empty a case each of candy canes. Afterwards, they held a holiday party for children of the township fire fighters, featuring another appearance by Santa. "This is a great way for us to get out in the community in a positive way -- usually we are meeting people during an emergency," said Kevin Strawn, a rookie fire fighter who helped hand out candy canes. "I had no idea how many kids look forward to seeing Santa." Meghan Van Dyk can be reached at (973)428-6633 or mvandyk@gannett.com. |