Children are always awestruck when Santa Claus and his helpers pull up, sirens blaring on a fire truck, ho-ho-hoing through the loud speakers.
In the words of mother Kathleen Grosswald: “These ages don’t last forever. We love it. It’s priceless,” she said after her second Santa Toy Delivery year just days before Christmas.
The 25th anniversary set a record for the annual two-day gift delivery to private homes in the city of Boca Raton by The Firefighters & Paramedics of Boca Raton Benevolent Fund.
“We have over 320 stops, and this year we’ll deliver 650 gifts,” Battalion Chief Brett Lea said during a lunch break at Fire Station 2.
Four off-duty fire engines paired with rescue vehicles delivered the gifts by prearrangement on Dec. 19 and 20. How did St. Nick know what the children wanted? The presents are wrapped and delivered in advance by the families, and the names are taped to the boxes. Costumed volunteers inside the fire trucks get each stash from the ambulance, and families get a heads up they’re about to arrive. The next thing you know, it’s cell phone pictures and photo opps with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Sandy and Randy Mollema were outside with Camille, 3, and Sophie, 6. Santa actually lives next door, they confided out of ear shot of the children.
“This is awesome,” said former Boca Raton City Council candidate Jamie Sauer with her husband Eric and two children. Former television news broadcaster Paige Kornblue Hunter turned out with her three children.
Dylan and Peyton Codacovi may be 8 and 9, but “this is still the boys’ favorite thing,” said their mother Wendi Codavoci.
A large greeting party in jingle bell hats and felt antlers and three families met the Santa delivery in Camino Lakes. Teresa Bledsoe said friends from just over the line into the county come there to see it.
“We just moved here from Chicago,” said Ryan Brawner. “We have nothing like this in Illinois.”
One welcoming family included Concetta Vecchinoi, turning 100 on May 21.
The last afternoon stop was the Coopers, who pay for lunch for all the Santa Toy Delivery volunteers over the two days.
“When they came for the first year, I was blown away,” said Tricia Cooper, there with her husband Kevin and three children. “We hope to continue this tradition.”
Back at the fire houses, Santas climbed into their beards and padded suits. They included new fire academy grad Kevin Trnka for the second year, and last-minute fill-in Rich Rafalski, who wrapped up his third and final year at the helm of this logistical challenge. Behind the wheel of Rudolph 4 was Assistant Fire Chief Mike LaSalle, with his children Alysia, 17, and Anthony, 15.
Tina Kelly, a school nurse and wife of Battalion Chief Patrick Kelly was one of the Mrs. Santas this year.
“I enjoy it,” she said. “I love the kids.”
