Santa Claus Comes to Town in Fire Truck

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Santa Claus came to town in style Saturday afternoon, riding on a New Providence fire truck as local children watched in anticipation at the firehouse during the annual Santa event, hosted by the fire department every December.

"Once the kids are smiling, we're happy," said Deputy Fire Chief Mike Piana, who has been a volunteer fireman for 30 years.

After Santa settled into his cozy chair next to the stockings hung by the fire, one-by-one, the children sat on his lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas this year. 

Second grader Clare Kelly had a specific request, asking for "a Paper Jamz guitar, a medium-sized skateboard, a 20 inch bike with gears, and a bike helmet."

When asked by Mom if she loved Santa, Clare shouted out "Love him!"

Each child came out smiling with a bag of candy stocked with tootsie rolls, Hershey kisses, starbursts and bubble gum, given to them by Santa.

With Christmas music resonating in the firehouse, children also had a chance to sit in one of the fire trucks during the event.

Fire Chief Ralph Parlapiano said the Fire Department has hosted this event for 50 years.

"This is my 32nd year. We usually get 300 to 350 kids," he said.

Mayor John Thoms was in attendance, acknowledging how great the event is and the dedicated work of the volunteer firemen.

"The town enjoys it and the kids are in awe of seeing Santa come in on a fire truck," Thoms said. "[The firemen] are all volunteers and are required to take hundreds of hours of training per year. They all have full-time jobs and families. It is a great sacrifice on their hands."

Members of the New Providence Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary were at the event, donating 300 bags of individually packaged cookies, brownies, haystacks and chocolate covered pretzels, which were sold to contribute to the Fire Department fund. 

"We are ecstatic. We enjoy helping the Fire Department," said Auxiliary President Mary Parlapiano. The auxiliary aids the firemen throughout the year, with members on call to assist the firemen by providing cool drinks and wet rags during the warmer months and hot coffee in the cooler months.

Complimentary coffee, tea and hot cocoa were offered to add to the festivities.  The highlight was a gift package of toys, which was raffled off at the end of the day. 

If your child was unable to attend the event on Saturday, there is still a way to get a message to Santa. Children can write letters to Santa and place them in the mailbox outside the firehouse up until Christmas Eve when the letters will be sent to the North Pole.