POUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie professional firefighters, members of IAFF Local 596 answered an alarm from Santa this week. According to the jolly old man in the red suit, the manpower shortage has reached the North Pole and Santa needed members of the Poughkeepsie Fire Department to help distribute gifts in the city.
Several of Poughkeepsie’s professional firefighters gathered at Mahoney’s Steakhouse Thursday night to sort out and wrap toys for the five families that the Jolly Old Elf gave to the union men.
Poughkeepsie Fire Department Lieutenant Paul Bucher told Mid-Hudson News, “It’s one more way for us to help. While he didn’t call 911, Santa reached out and asked for our help because we help people every day. We couldn’t say no.”
Santa, the firefighters, and Baroni Recycling purchased and wrapped the gifts that were on each family’s wish list. According to Lieutenant Bucher, the list was developed with the assistance of teachers in the Poughkeepsie City School District. “We were given the names of the families in need and their wish lists.” The gift-wrapping lieutenant that has organized this event for years also said, “With the help of corporate sponsor Baroni Recycling, we purchased the high-end gifts, wrapped them in gift paper, and, following Santa’s directive, they’ll be delivered to the families on Saturday.”
Lieutenant Bucher’s younger brother, Nick, is also a member of the fire department and serves as the union president. “Our members always respond to calls for help,” he said, adding “Helping Santa every year is is certainly one of our favorite calls.”
After the firefighters and volunteers sorted and wrapped the gifts on Thursday night at Mahoney’s Irish Pub and Steakhouse, they were taken back to the Clover Street Station. On the morning of December 24th, firefighters will assist Santa in driving to each of the five family’s houses and deliver the requested gifts,” President Bucher said.
“This annual event is something our members look forward to. We help at every opportunity, but to see the smiles on the faces when we arrive under a different circumstance is beyond reward for us,” Lieutenant Bucher said.
Santa, the firefighters, and the local Mid-Hudson News reporter will gather at the Clover Street firehouse early Saturday morning to load up the gifts and distribute them to the specified families.
