Their eyes lit up when they saw him – it was Santa Claus, and he arrived on a fire truck.
The residents of St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Bayside got their annual visit from the big-hearted firefighters from Engine 320/Ladder 167 on Thursday, December 17.
“These guys are terrific, they come year after year,” said Leslie Johnson, Director of Communications for St. Mary’s.
The tradition began about a decade ago when one firefighter, Bob Scalia, and his wife, thankful for their own, healthy son, resolved that they would brighten the holiday for the kids at St. Mary’s.
When Scalia retired a few years ago, Keith Palumbo took on the task.
“Everyone chips in,” said Palumbo. “PC Richard gives us everything for a great price. Joe Barongi does all the shopping [for the toys].”
This year, gifts ranged from CD and MP3 players to karaoke machines and cameras, as well as games.
“It gets bigger every year,” Palumbo told The Courier.
Firefighter Vinny Sottile, who only the week before had rescued a woman from her burning car on I-95, played Santa for at least the fifth year.
“To say the very least it was great,” said Sottile. “I just play my part as Santa. It is everyone in the firehouse, they really enjoy going. It’s what we do, we just try and do good.”
Sottile continued, “This year out of all the years struck me – I fell in love with [two children in particular] Eric and Meerab.”
