Thu, December 18, 2008
For the 23rd year in a row, the Miami Firefighters Benevolent Association -- and Santa Claus -- spent most of Wednesday handing out toys to children across Miami.
As a red ambulance stocked with gifts approached Legion Park's main building, 2-year-old Samari Hall's jaw dropped.
Inside was the association's president, Lt. Dale Piccianno, dressed as Santa Claus. Clasping the truck's radio receiver with his white-gloved hand, he held it up to his bearded face.
''Ho ho ho!'' he said, his voice booming from the ambulance's speakers.
Piccianno soon walked outside, opening the ambulance's back doors to reveal a first responder's version of Santa's sled. Piccianno followed firefighters as they carried sacks full of toys on their backs into the building's auditorium.
''What I see in their eyes behind this mask is unbelieveable,'' said Piccianno, who has played the role for years.
''It blows me away,'' he said, adjusting his large black belt over his costume's expansive belly.
More than 100 children from four Miami day-care centers greeted the Santa figure as he walked into the building.
Mary Charadan, a Moore Park Day Care teacher, rounded up the children as the stage was transformed into a winter wonderland.
''I can't tell you how many years they've been here,'' Charadan exclaimed. ``They are excellent.''
Dozens of children sat onstage surrounded by countless white strips of paper snow as they watched Santa call out their names one by one from his rocking chair. The dizzying cacophony of children's laughs and cries filled the spacious room.
A minute after hearing his name called, 3-year-old Dexter McCoy waddled away from Santa hugging the large, wrapped gift that was almost as tall as he was.
''God, they're so cute,'' Miami Fire-Rescue Lt. Patrick Murdock said from the edge of the stage.
Legion Park was one of four stops on the charitable association's annual toy drive Wednesday.
Also on the list: sick children at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
All in all, 550 kids were set to receive more than 2,000 gifts, according to Gioanna Grieco, a Miami Fire-Rescue public education officer.
Just before receiving her gift at the park, 2-year-old Zen James smiled as she sat on Santa's lap.
''This is her first real Christmas,'' said her mother, Kalyn James. ``Last year, she was too young to know what was going on.''
After jumping off the stage and into her mother's arms, Zen turned to Piccianno, who was looking at her from behind his thick, old-fashioned spectacles.
''Say thank you,'' James told her daughter.
The little girl blew him a kiss.
(Agencies)
