Fire department planning charity party to replace canceled one
The Pingree Grove Fire Protection District has stepped in this holiday season to throw a bash of its own to replace a neighborhood charity party that was canceled.
The district and the firemen's association will hold “Holiday Open House with Santa,” Dec. 18, inviting visitors to see the decorated fire station, to meet with Santa, firefighters and police officers, to see the vehicles they drive and to bring unwrapped toys and nonperishable food for the needy.
Santa will be arriving on a fire truck.
Firefighters Debra Toomey, Lt. Scott Fehrman and Dennis Demes learned over the weekend that Joe and Melissa Klemencic canceled their Santa's Landing event that they ran for five years with their neighbors Gary and Diane Meyer and with Sarah Hettinger, the Meyer's daughter.
And the firefighting trio decided the five-year event was just too important to disappear.
“I just think it's a great community tradition and the fire department felt that it should not be forgotten for one year,” Demes said. “If we can step up and fill that void for a year, that will be wonderful.”
The event also serves as a way to let the public know that Station 2, where the party starts this year, is staffed 24 hours a day, Fehrman said.
Up until December 2009, it was not a fully functioning station, he said.
“There's some community members who don't realize there's a crew there 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.
The department is also working with Pastor John Greve of St. Peter's Lutheran Church to locate needy families who could benefit from the food and toys.
Santa's Landing was a holiday lights extravaganza held at the Klemencic house that attracted hundreds of children, the fire department and even more pounds of food for the hungry.
Kids also had an opportunity to get gifts, sip hot cocoa and hang out with the Grinch, Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Joe Klemencic dressed as the Grinch, while Gary and Diane Meyer portrayed Santa and Mrs. Claus and arrived to the West Hampton neighborhood on a blaring fire engine.
The event is on hiatus this year due to health problems surrounding one of the Klemencics, according to an announcement on the event's website.
Both Klemencics refuse to elaborate further on the matter, but on their website, they say they will collect food and toy donations Dec. 18 at their home, 686 Glen Cove Lane. They also encourage residents to donate food and toys to St. Peter's at 14N206 Reinking Road.
The fire department hopes to make the special open house an annual event for the community.
The holiday open house will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 18 at Station No. 2 at 14N026 Reinking Road.
Refreshments, including coffee, hot chocolate and cookies, will be served.