Santa's neighobrhood ride a popular way to give to charity
Back in the 1970s, Rutland Dundee firefighters came up with a novel and quick way to collect toys, food and clothes for needy kids at the holidays.
They asked Santa Claus to ride on one of their firetrucks and be driven through the small communities of Sleepy Hollow and Gilberts.
Since there were only dozens of homes in their fire district, they learned it wouldn't take long, even if the weather was bad.
"When it started, we did it all on one night," said Deanne Adams, president of the district's firefighters' association, which sponsored the drive.
Kids loved it. Parents loved it. With sirens blaring and Santa waving from the red truck, everyone ran to meet him with arms full of presents and toys.
The run has kept up with the growing populations of both communities, and more days have been added. Now, Santa rides on a sleigh that is pulled behind a van.
"Kids can still see him, and he stops long enough to talk to them and thank them for their donations," Adams said.
"This has been going on for so long we have people who have grown up in the area, had kids of their own, and come back during the run just to be a part of it."
That run starts today. The hundreds of homes that have been built in Gilberts will have it continue for two weekends.
Starting at 5 p.m., Santa and Rutland Dundee firefighters will drive along Pine Cone Lane, Binnie Road and in the Lake Tara, Frontenac, Little Acres and the Countryview Highlands neighborhoods near Sleepy Hollow.
On Saturday, Santa will resume his drive at noon and be driven through the Timber Glen and Timber Trails neighborhoods of Gilberts.
The following day at 4 p.m., he will roll through the Indian Trails, Woodland Meadows, Dunhill Estates and Gilberts Glen neighborhood of Gilberts.
Then, he takes a week off.
But he will be back on his sleigh at 5 p.m. Dec. 7 and roll through Gilberts' Old Town neighborhood, Gilberts Town Center and Windmill Meadows.
The following day he will be on his sleigh again, and collect food from residents who live along the west side of Sleepy Hollow Road.
On Dec. 9, he will visit with families who live on the east side of Sleepy Hollow Road. The run on both days starts at 3 p.m.
"We collect a lot of items," Adams said.
"We have to go back to the fire house several times to empty the trucks and the vans.
"People have always been so generous with us."