Every kid who believes in Santa has declared at one Christmas or another that this Christmas will be the one when their eye will spy Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick carefully placing shiny presents under the pretty tree.

I can remember arranging the cookies and milk right next to me, in my lap, even gripping the milk, so that if, for some odd reason, I fell asleep after the whirlwind of Christmas Eve, I would wake up as soon as Santa grabbed for his goodies.

Every year I totally slept through Santa’s snack time. My only childhood Santa victory came when I got a letter from the man himself. I felt so special. I was so impressed that he took time out of his busy schedule to write me a note, and I know I would have passed out if Santa came to my house atop a fire engine for a personal visit.

Well, get ready to catch some glee-stricken kids because the Wood Dale Fire Protection District, in cooperation with the Wood Dale Professional Firefighters Local 3594 and the Wood Dale Firefighters Association, are doing just that.

From noon to 4 p.m. this Sunday Dec. 9 the Santa Stop Food Drive will have Santa and his elves visiting houses all over Wood Dale to collect nonperishable food and paper products for the Bensenville/Wood Dale Food Pantry.

“The residents of Wood Dale have been so great to the department that we want to give something back,” said Luke Walker, firefighter and paramedic. “We are able to make the kids we visit very happy, because they get to see Santa and then we help make families in our community, who might be struggling at this time of year, happy because of our donations to the pantry.”

Santa must pre-plan his route to have his fire engine visit your house, so call the Wood Dale Fire District at (630) 766-1147, Ext. 3008, or e-mail Walker at LWalker@WDFD.org by tomorrow to reserve your stop.

This is the Fire Department’s second annual Santa Stop Food Drive. Walker borrowed this idea from the River Grove Fire Department where they have been bringing Santa for home visits in a fire truck for at least 30 years. At one time, the program was so popular that two Santas and two fire trucks made the rounds.

“I was part of it for at least 10 years and I really loved doing it,” Walker said. “The kids are so excited about Santa being at their house. I thought it was such a great program that I suggested it when I came here.”

Last year the Wood Dale Fire Department Santa and elves visited 15 houses, collecting a pick-up truck bed’s worth of goods. Already, 15 residences are signed up to receive a visit this year.

“We are hoping that we will get a bigger draw each year,” Walker said. “I think as more people hear about it or see Santa driving around town in a fire truck, more and more people will sign up. I hope one day we need two Santas and two fire trucks.”
Santa will stop at each house on his route for a short visit and photos while collecting donations. A goodie bag and a Polaroid picture card with Santa will be given to each family courtesy of the Wood Dale Chamber of Commerce.

“This program is a great lesson for kids,” Walker said. “This is the time of year when we need to help those families who might need a little lift, and by collecting items for the food pantry, we are able to help those who are less fortunate in the community. Plus, for the kids who we visit, how often do they see Santa come to their house?”

For me, never.

 Ideas and items for Border Bounding may be e-mailed to hipychk73@yahoo.com.