Flanders Firefighters Help Santa, Marines Collect Toys For Tots

FLANDERS, N.J. - Dec. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Flanders firefighters (http://www.flanders-fire-rescue.org/) Saturday delivered more than 750 toys to Santa and his team on the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots train as it stopped on the tracks next to the Flanders firehouse.

For the sixth year, the arrival of the train with Santa, Marines and Santa’s helpers marked the first of two collections firefighters make for Toys for Tots. The second comes next Saturday during the annual “Santa Run,” when firefighters escort Santa around Flanders on fire apparatus.

This year, firefighters and railroad workers loaded 757 toys on to Santa’s train. The train arrived Saturday afternoon and was met by firefighters and area residents, who donated toys. Residents and organizations have been dropping toys off at the firehouse for the past couple of weeks. The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mount Olive Police Department collected toys and brought them to the firehouse to be put on Santa’s Train.

“Firefighters love kids,” said Firefighter Kevin Dolan, treasurer of the Flanders Fire Company Association and chair of the Toys for Tots projects. “This is one way we can help kids and serve the community. It’s also great to work with organizations like the Chamber, the Mount Olive Police and Marines to help area kids who aren’t as fortunate as our own children.”

The toy collections are part of a firehouse tradition that begin in the 1960s, when Santa would fly into the local airport – now a housing subdivision – and firefighters would drive him around a smaller, more rural Flanders to greet local children. Today, the “Santa Run” requires two teams to escort Santa. These days, Santa not only greets children, he collects toys for Toys for Tots and will stop and meet with children with special needs.

For the Marines of Company G, 2^nd Battalion, 25^th Marines, 4^th Marine Division, stationed at Picatinny Arsenal, and the volunteers who help with the toy drive, the firefighters are important helpers in the Marine’s drive to distribute new, unwrapped toys.  As busy as they are, this is a community service project they relish.

“It benefits the less fortunate kids in Northern New Jersey and gives them a chance to have a happy holiday,” said Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Battavio. His partner, U.S. Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman Richard Espinosa, said helping others gives the servicemen and women an opportunity to reflect on their own good fortune. “We get to go home every night when we’re on shore duty,” he said. “This is the least we can do.”

The firefighters welcomed the public, Santa and his team on the train into the firehouse. Food and refreshments were available at no cost. Santa sat by a Christmas tree and listened to children’s wish lists and then sat at a table and made holiday cards with kids. Santa and the Marines posed with the firefighters and their families by the apparatus.

Meanwhile, in the boxcars, Santa’s helpers counted and stacked the gifts, and before long, the train was ready to head out to collect more Toys for Tots.

“This is one of those programs we all enjoy,” said Dolan. “And next weekend, we’ll be back to drive Santa around town and collect more toys.”

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 75 members who receive training in fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, homeland security issues and emergency medical services. The fire company operates two fire engines, one tower truck, one heavy rescue, a brush-and-foam truck, three 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 http://www.flanders-fire-rescue.org/