Santa Claus would not let a global pandemic stop him from spreading Holiday cheer throughout the Hartsdale Fire District. Santa, with the help of his elves from the Hartsdale Fire Department, jumped into his lime green sleigh, a converted Hartsdale Fire Department Engine and activated the department’s 6th annual Operation Candy Cane on Sunday, December 20, 2020.

Visiting more than twenty locations throughout the community, Santa and his helpers delivered candy canes to excited children and their parents.

It was very important to Santa that everybody stay safe during these challenging times, so strict COVID-19 protocol was followed. Before leaving the North Pole, all members of the team had their temperatures checked. Everybody wore masks throughout the operation and at each location sanitizer was used and gloves were changed. Only certain elves were allowed to give out pre-wrapped candy canes while others made sure social distance guidelines were followed.

Despite the many challenges Santa and his elves faced this year because of the pandemic, they were very successful in hosting the Hartsdale Fire Department’s 6th Annual Operation Candy Cane and spreading joy throughout the community. Photos by Alan Zale