The East Williston Fire Department is seeking help with its Operation Santa, a village tradition that aims to give gifts to less fortunate children.
Each Christmas Eve, East Williston firefighters dress up as Santa Claus and deliver Christmas gifts to children in the village and to those nearby who might not otherwise receive any.
But the fire department is worried it is not receiving enough donations of new, unwrapped gifts to bring to kids at St. Christopher Ottilie Home for Children in Sea Cliff, Winthrop-University Hospital’s Cancer Center for Kids and the Interfaith Nutrition Network homeless shelter in Hempstead, Fire Chief Joseph Fabrizio said at Monday’s village board meeting.
The village sends letters to residents to make them familiar with Operation Santa, but Fabrizio said more may need to be done to raise awareness.
Trustees recommended Monday sending an email blast to residents to get more donations.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can bring an unwrapped gift to the East Williston fire house on Dec. 17 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Trustee James Iannone said Monday that the department is actively seeking to recruit new volunteer firefighters.
Fabrizio said the fire department received six general calls and four fire-related calls in November.
As winter approaches, Trustee Christopher Siciliano said, the village’s public works department has finished the sidewalk work for the season.
Mayor David Tanner gave a reminder Monday that East Williston and Williston Park will hold a public meeting Dec. 17 at Village Hall to address the current water rate dispute between the two villages.
“There is nothing else I can say at this time except for the fact that we want a concrete offer” Tanner said. “That is the objective of the meeting at this point.”
