Instead of riding down Santa Claus Lane on a sleigh, Santa rode out of the Glenville Firehouse on a big red fire truck last Saturday, when the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company put on its annual Santa Ride. Two fire trucks, followed by a smaller utility vehicle used for traffic control, began their route on Glenville Road at 9am and ended at the Bruce Park Playground just before 1pm. Santa and the firemen also made a stop at Pemberwick Park at mid-morning.

Gino Furano, Captain of the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company, said it's great to see "the faces of all the little kids when they see Santa. They just light up." He added, "actually, the adults light up too." Santa rode in a 1964 topless Maxim fire truck. A standard fire truck, Engine 41, carried a supply of candy canes above its front bumper, which the fire fighters dipped into when they needed to resupply. Behind it was the Utility 4 fire truck.

Santa and some of the fire fighters would get out of the trucks to stroll down the streets and hand out candy canes to everyone they passed. Families, couples, and singles pulled out their cell phones to take photos and wave as the trucks went by playing "Here Comes Santa Claus" on Utility 4's loud speaker. The song was accented by the fire truck sirens ringing down the street.

"We're the only fire company in Greenwich that has done this," said Sandy Kornberg, president of the Glenville company. Glenville has four career fire fighters on duty at all times, and more than 50 volunteer members.

When Santa stopped at a park, all the kids would gather around and sit on his lap or just say hello. They were also anxious to take a seat in the big red fire truck. " When we stop, the kids love to get in the truck. It's a good feel," said Kornberg. Kornberg said he enjoys being a part of the Glenville Firehouse and getting a chance to do community events such as the Santa Ride. "I appreciate being able to share all the things that we've done," he said. "It's a wonderful time of the year - very special."

Santa posed with a group of women who work in one of the retail stores along the route, and picked up kids who were happy to see him. Santa also tried to comfort the kids who were shyer than others. Santa, played by Glenville fire fighter Duke Maloney, said he enjoys "bringing smiles to people's faces, making them laugh, trying to work with ones who are scared" as well. Playing Santa Claus also has its perks. " It's great to get hugs," said Maloney. "Great to bring joy to everyone."

The Santa Ride seemed to catch everyone's attention. Regardless of the religious faiths of those on the street, the bright expressions on people's faces reflected that - on this day - Santa Claus did not symbolize one religion, but was rather a multicultural personification of the spirit of giving.

"It's wonderful," said Kornberg. "Everywhere we've gone, different neighborhoods, different streets, in Glenville and throughout Greenwich, kids come out and enjoy it as much as we do."

By Cheye Roberson - Greenwich Sentinel Reporter