PITTSTON — The city fire department held an annual visit from Santa as he arrived in style by getting a lift in one of the city’s fire trucks on a Sunday.
Children gathered inside one of the fire truck bays, occasionally pressing their faces against the huge glass garage door in anticipation of Santa’s arrival.
Inside, several of Santa’s helpers were on hand to assist. Rainy, cold conditions kept the number of children down from previous years.
A he entered the station, Santa Claus greeted each child before settling in next to the station’s Christmas tree.
Children lined up with parents by their side, waiting for the chance to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas and for parents to take photos.
Two-year-old John Ankenbrand III didn’t need coaxing to sit with Santa. He was eager and ready to go as he raced to Santa’s side, waiting to be placed on his lap.
“What would you like for Christmas?” Santa asked. “I want Tonka trucks,” John replied.
Three-year-old Madeline Keating wasn’t as shy as her 5-year-old sister Grace when it was time to meet Santa. Grace needed a little prompting from her dad.
Emmy Mangold, 6, had no problem sitting on Santa’s lap but was a bit shy in telling him what she wants for Christmas. Santa suggested she send a letter to the North Pole so he can get her list before Christmas.
The fire department provides Santa with Christmas stockings filled with goodies to hand out to the children each year.
“Whatever we have left over, we donate to St. John the Evangelist Church to distribute for their Christmas party,” Pittston City Fire Dept. Chief Jim Rooney said. “They always have a lot of kids.”
