MADERA (KMJ) — Santa Claus made a big entrance at Valley Children’s Hospital, with a police and fire department escort accompanying him.
Waving from a classic open top fire truck Wednesday morning, he had a motorcycle escort from Clovis PD, Fresno PD and CHP officers, and was being followed by numerous Fresno Fire trucks.
The noise of many sirens flooded over the flat land between Children’s Boulevard and the hospital itself, only adding to the visible excitement coming from both the children gathered to see him and the adults accompanying them.
The man in red climbed off the fire truck as soon as the convoy stopped, and walked straight into a crowd of children jostling to have their picture taken with him. He was led inside to even more kids eager to meet him.
Once inside, the crowd gathered in the hospital’s main entrance giving Fresno Fire Captain Reggie Zellous a chance to speak on Santa’s behalf.
“If we could bring just a little cheer to the kids this time of year, it’ll be well spent”.
“We have a great group of guys and girls in our department. They’re innovative, they really care, they want to give back to the community, and this is a great venue to do it.
“How can you not like giving toys out to kids? It’s like a no-brainer for sure”.
“We’re hear to spread love and cheer with the kids of Valley Children’s Hospital”, says Santa Claus. “I’ve been coming down with the fireman and police officers for 31 years”.
“I kind of think I’m having a little vacation”.
After the carol singing and even more pictures taken, Santa Claus and the firefighters visited children’s rooms delivering their Christmas gifts.
KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew was there for Santa’s arrival, and you can hear his report as it aired on KMJ:
