White Plains Fire Department hosts annual Santa Express event
The White Plains Fire Department, along with Local 274, held its annual Santa Express Event throughout the city making around 10 stops to local senior centers, schools and more on Tuesday.
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The White Plains Fire Department, along with Local 274, held its annual Santa Express Event throughout the city making around 10 stops to local senior centers, schools and more on Tuesday.
The tradition, according to Lt. Tim Wilson, with the White Plains Fire Department, is nearly 50 years old.
Early into the day, Santa and the fire department visited the Elizabeth Seton Children's School in White Plains.
The school offers learning and therapeutic services to young children that have a variety of different physical and cognitive challenges.
Principal Stephanie Harris says the event allows for students who might not have the opportunity outside of the classroom to meet Santa and his pals.
"It's important to bring sunlight to the children. The children all love to be at school, and this just makes everybody smile. If we could make the children smile...sometimes that's all we can do and the children give us much more than we give them," said School Principal Stephanie Harris.
The tradition also allows for local firemen to meet the community they serve.
"Usually, when we see people, it's for a bad situation. At least this is for a good one, so we like to kind of keep it that way," said Lt. Wilson.
In total, the firemen gave away around 150 stuffed animals.
