Flanders Firefighters Bringing Santa Claus to Town Twice, Helping Him Collect Toys

FLANDERS, N.J. - Dec. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Flanders firefighters and emergency medical personnel will bring Santa to town twice during December, once by train and once by fire truck. Both times, they’ll be helping Santa collect toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots.

This year, in addition to the members of the Flanders Fire Company #1 and Rescue Squad (www.flanders-fire-rescue.org), members of the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce will assist in the effort to gather toys.

In preparation for Santa’s visits, members of the Flanders Fire Company #1 and Rescue Squad are collecting toys at the firehouse and those toys will be loaded on the train. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped in the boxes in the firehouse lobby or people can place the toys in the large, military trailer in front of firehouse.

Santa, escorted by U.S. Marines and elves, arrives in Flanders by the Toys for Tots special train around 10 a.m. Dec. 14. The train stops next to the firehouse at 27 Main St. Families are welcome to greet the train at the firehouse and, if they wish, give Santa a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Santa will step off the train for photos and to visit those who meet the train.

“This will be the fifth year for the Toys for Tots train,” said Kevin Dolan, a Flanders firefighter who coordinates Santa’s visits to town. “We’ve made significant contributions to the Toys for Tots program during each of those years, thanks to local people and businesses.”

A week after the train arrives, Santa will return to town and visit neighborhoods to greet children, giving them candy canes and additional toys for the Marines, if people wish to contribute a new, unwrapped toy. Santa will tour Flanders neighborhoods by fire truck Dec. 21.

“The Flanders Fire Company #1 and Rescue Squad has been driving Santa around town since the 1960s,” said Doug Fenichel, president of the Flanders Firefighters Association, the organization that handles the business affairs of the department. “The town was smaller then, but the kids were just as excited to see Santa. Now those children have grown up and it’s their kids running out to our trucks to see Santa. We’ve added the additional service of helping Toys for Tots. It’s one of the favorite activities our firefighters undertake each year.”

Santa will visit various neighborhoods throughout the day on Dec. 21, passing out candy canes and greeting children. Fenichel said families who have children with special needs can ask Santa to stop and visit with their child. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the firehouse at (973) 584-7805 and leaving a message.

The Flanders Fire Company and Rescue Squad No. 1 provides fire protection and emergency medical services to residents and businesses in Flanders and, through mutual aid, surrounding towns. It is made up of about 50 members, all of whom receive training in fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, homeland security issues and emergency medical services. The fire company, which is always looking for new members, operates two fire engines, one tower truck, one heavy rescue, a brush-and-foam truck, two ambulances, a multiple-casualty unit and a mass decontamination unit.

In addition, the fire company offers public education services including lectures, demonstrations, training and a trailer that safely simulates a smoke-filled home. For information about membership, donations or public education, call (973) 584-7805 or click on www.flanders-fire-rescue.org.