Firefighters to Again Escort Santa Through Lawrence

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Yes, it’s that time of year again when Lawrence Township’s volunteer firefighters escort Father Christmas around town to put smiles on the faces of little girls and boys, pass out candy canes and generally spread holiday cheer.

Each of the township’s three volunteer fire companies are putting the finishing touches on their plans to take old St. Nick down each and every street in the township, with the Lawrence Road and Slackwood fire companies conducting “Operation Santa” this week and Lawrenceville Fire Co. doing their Santa escort next week.

“Operation Santa is a tradition that the firefighters look forward to all year long,” said Lawrence Road Fire Co. Chief Shaun Dlabik. “We’re all volunteers. We live in this town and we care about it. Far too often, in responding to fires and car wrecks and other emergencies, we see our neighbors and friends on what, for them, is probably the worst day of their lives. They are hurting. But with Operation Santa, there’s no sadness involved. It’s a happy occasion for us to be on a fire truck. It’s a chance for us to make people happy, celebrate our community and help people celebrate the holidays.”

Lawrence Road Fire Co. President Kris Palmer agreed: “This is a chance for us to give back to the community and thank them for supporting their volunteer fire companies. Without the generous donations of our residents, it would be difficult for us to maintain our operations. So, on behalf of all the volunteer firefighters in Lawrence, I’d just like to wish everyone a very happy and very safe holiday season.”

., which covers Lawrence Township Fire District #2, will conduct Operation Santa from about 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 8, and Friday, Dec. 9, and on Saturday, Dec. 10, from about 11:30 a.m. until all streets in the district have been visited.

A tentative breakdown of which District #2 streets will be visited each night can be found below

., which covers Lawrence Township Fire District #1, will do its Santa escort on Friday evening, Dec. 9, beginning with the Tiffany Woods development and the southernmost area of the district and continuing Saturday morning, Dec. 11, until all streets in the district have been visited.

Slackwood volunteers will also escort Santa to the official Lawrence Township Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the municipal building at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11.

., which covers Lawrence Township Fire District #3, will hold its Operation Santa on Friday, Dec. 16, Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18.

To help you and you family celebrate the holiday season safely, township firefighters urge you to check out the winter fire safety tips suggested by the U.S. Fire Administration by clicking here and here.

Lawrence Road Fire Co. (Fire District #2) Operation Santa 2011 Schedule:

Thursday, Dec. 8:

• Rider University
• West Long Drive
• Sunset Road
• Orchard Lane
• West Church Road
• Garden Road
• Vanderveer Drive
• Burning Tree Lane.
• Twin Oaks Drive
• Reeder Avenue
• Skillman Avenue
• White Pine Circle
• Federal Point Blvd
• Bunker Hill Road
• Garry Court
• Anthony Lane
• Alexandria Court
• Karena Lane
• Fredericks Court
• Dorothea Terrace
• Donna Lynn Lane

Friday, Dec. 9:

• Meadowbrook Avenue
• Brearley Avenue
• Drexel Avenue
• Fernwood Lane
• Meadow Woods Apartments
• Fairfield Avenue
• Irwin Place
• Devon Ave
• Smithfield Ave
• Renee Court
• Roxboro Road
• Fieldboro Drive
• Gedney Road
• Gainsboro Road
• Darrah Lane
• Merritt Drive
• Alyce Court
• Allwood Drive
• Lumar Road
• Barnett Road
• Jill Lane
• Millerick Avenue
• Review Avenue
• Berwyn Place
• Lawrence Road
• Oaklyn Terrace
• Windwood Road
• Wayside Lane
• Birchwood Knoll Road
• Darrah Lane
• Wenczel Drive
• Fieldboro Drive
• Bearfort Way
• Rydal Drive
• Millbrook Lane

Saturday, Dec. 10:

• Pine Knoll Drive
• Balsam Court
• Pine Knoll Drive
• Pin Oak Drive
• Princeton Pike
• Gainsboro Road
• Lawn Park Avenue
• Merline Avenue
• Zoar Avenue
• Hazelhurst Avenue
• Manitee Avenue
• Rose Street
• Altamawr Avenue
• Northbrook Avenue
• Greenfield Avenue
• Forrest Avenue
• Rossa Avenue
• Lawrence Avenue
• Eldridge Avenue
• Short Johnson
• Alcazar Avenue
• Newberry Avenue
• Drift Avenue
• Emden Avenue
• Orchard Avenue
• Johnson Avenue
• Albemarle Road
• Cheverly Road
• Hillcrest Avenue
• Roseland Avenue
• Johnson Avenue
• Eggerts Crossing Village