Firefighters Play Santa and Elves for a Day

By CHRIS BUTERA

The snow on Tuesday morning provided ample foreshadowing for child patients at New York Presbyterian as Santa Claus and his firefighter friends paid them a visit to help raise spirits and bring a little Christmas cheer to the children, their families and staff.

This year’s edition of the hospitals annual event, hosted by the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, featured Santa Claus, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Frosty the snowman, a penguin and firefighters singing carols in the pediatric centers playroom before giving the children gifts.

Some firefighters also played flute, guitar and accordion while Santa and hospital staff dressed as Frosty, Rudolph and the newly named Pete the Penguin provided comical interpretive dances.

“This has been a tradition that started 30 years ago that brings a period of joy for children and their families,” said Bill Leahy, the organization’s President. “One smile on a child’s face is worth a million words. It’s all about the kids. There’s a natural warm reception from firefighters to children. They’re a perfect match. I used to be Rudolph but I’m still the Easter Bunny.”

Spontaneity was the name of the game as firefighters named and created a backstory for Pete the penguin moments before breaking into “White Christmas.” “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

One lucky little baby was held by Saint Nick as he danced around with the tot who was on his best behavior.
Although most of the children were not able to make it to the playroom, it wasn’t a problem for Santa as he paid them bedside visits.

“It feels nice seeing Santa’s face and the fireman.” said Sammy Sultana, a 13-year-old girl who wants a green IPhone for Christmas. “It’s very humbling and feels good. It gets stuffy in the Hospital but the nurses are very kind here,”

“I’ve seen seven years of it and it’s just as great every year,” said Courtney Czepiga, Pediatric Hematology Oncology Childlife Specialist. “The parents are very excited to see it and they’re very grateful that we celebrate holidays in this difficult time. They love the smiles Santa brings them.”

“This is probably my 30th year,” said Doug Hantusch, a retired firefighter who dons the red Santa suit and beard annually, “The first Santa suit my mom made for me. It’s hard to give up; kind of like retirement. There are two kinds of people in this world – givers and takers. Firefighters are givers.”