Santa! I know him! I know him!

This year's Cherrydale VFD ''Visit with Santa'' was the best yet, with over 270 children making a visit to the fire station, visiting with Santa, and receiving a present. Each year the members of the CVFD enjoy playing host as Santa arrives about Engine 103 with a cadre of other emergency vehicles. This year Engine 103, Utility 103 and several ACPD units let a parade from Station 8 down Lee Highway to Station 3. A large group of excited children were on hand to greet him as he climbed out of the officer's seat. Once upstairs in the social hall, a long line soon formed with children eager to meet Santa. The first in line was ACFD Firefighter Richard Slusher's new baby girl who was celebrating her first Christmas. The line lasted for approximately two and a half hours, not ending until shortly after 3:00 p.m.

The event even involved a last minute emergency trip to purchase additional gifts. With a long line, it was apparent that the older children were going to be stuck with building blocks and ABC games more suitable for preschool children. Santa dispatched Elf Joe (Lowry) and Elf Dee (Allen) in Utility 103 to CVS and Eckard Drug in about 20 minutes, we had an additional 40 gifts. At the end of the day, any gifts not given to the children in Arlington were boxed up and sent to our adopted VFD in West Virginia the same day. They were given out at a town celebration there the very next day.