The annual Washington Township Fire Department Santa Run will begin Thursday, Dec. 14 through Wednesday, Dec. 20.
Santa Claus will be visiting every street of Washington Township again this year, as the annual Washington Township Fire Department Santa Run kicks off on Thursday, Dec. 14. Santa, Mrs. Claus and special guest The Grinch will be traveling through the streets, sirens blazing, to greet residents atop holiday-themed fire trucks through Wednesday, Dec. 20.
According to Frank Stella, Board of Fire Commissioners chairman, career staff and volunteers of all three local fire companies — Whitman Square, Hurffville and Grenloch — will begin decorating their trucks at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14, to create a festive ride through town featuring lights and holiday garnishing. Santa will hit the streets between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and conclude at approximately 9 p.m. By Wednesday, Dec. 20, with a rain date of Thursday, Dec. 21, every street in Washington Township will have had a visit from Santa.
“I’ve done it for the last 23 years and I look forward to it every year,” Stella said. “I’m one of the Santas on the truck with Mrs. Claus, my wife, and it’s just amazing seeing the kids run out and waving to Santa; it’s even funnier seeing how excited the adults get.”
For the third consecutive year, the fire department will be collecting coats for those in need.
“When you hear the sirens and grab your coat to see Santa, grab an extra one from the closet,” the department’s release said.
The coat drive, organized by the Washington Township Fire Explorer Post, collected approximately 1,200 coats for Angels of God Clothing Closet, located in Pitman, last year.
“Our goal is to collect a little bit more than that because residents are getting accustomed to bringing out the coats to the trucks,” Stella said.
Those who miss the Santa Run may also make a coat donation at any of the three fire companies.
According to the release, all fire engines used during the Santa Run will remain on duty to respond to any emergency calls. Due to the size of the fire trucks and the inability to turn around in case of emergency, the department will not be driving down most courts. Residents are asked to view the trucks and Santa from the corner of the street.
For more information, visit www.wtfd10.com.
Santa Run locations, dates and times are as follows:
Hurffville Fire Company
Thursday, Dec. 14, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Arden Poste, Armitage Court, Birches West, Cantebury Mews, Deerfield, Henly, Henly Estates, Heritage Hurffville Tract, Hillcrest, Newtown Commons, Parke Place, Reserve at Hillcrest, Severan, Twin Ponds and Washington Place
Sunday, Dec. 17 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Amesbury Farms, Heritage Valley, Old Wedgewood, Shadowbrook, Spring Lake, Twin Lakes and Woods of Washington
Tuesday, Dec. 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Colts Neck, County House Village, Holly Oaks, Lansbrook, Peppertree Farms, Salina Hills, Sheffield Gate, Thornbury, Waters Edge, Wedgewood Farms, Wellington Manor, Windy Acres
Thursday, Dec. 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Will be reserved for developments that were not covered. The Washington Township Fire District will update what developments will be covered on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
Whitman Square Fire Company
Saturday, Dec. 16 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Rain date: Sunday, Dec. 17
Parts of Ashton Leas, Parts of Bells Lake, Birches, Birches Apts, Bonaire, Cluster’s, Crosskeys, Cross Pointe, Cross Roads, Deux Mare, The Estates of Washington Greene, Foxwood, Fries Mills Estates, Gardendale, Hunters Chase, Johnson Road/Mango Court/Redwood Street, Liberty Forge, Maples, Meadows, Meadows of Bonaire, Orchards/Summit Point, Peachtree, Plumtree Estates, The Ridlings, Robbindale Manor, Scott Drive/Lorne Road, Stony Brook, Tall Oaks, Twin Hollow, Twin Ponds East, Valley Green, Washington Hills, Whitman Square, The Woods of Fries Mill, Wrenfield
Grenloch Fire Company
Tuesday, Dec. 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bells Lake, Greenwood Park/Ashton Leas, Wedgewood (Trent Road), Old Wedgewood (Bryant Road, Forrest Drive), Meadow Run, (Daytona Avenue, Dorado Avenue) Route 168, Meadow Avenue and Hurff Lane
Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Rain date: Thursday, Dec. 21
Grenloch, Gren Meadows, Spring Mill / Bateman Estates, Wedgewood Forrest, Wedgewood Farms, Hunt Club, Surry Lake, Sawyer’s Creek, Nob Hill / Washington Way Apartments, Millstream Apartments, Heatherwood, Winchester Farms and Windsor Forest