Weary at the end of his shift, Will Wheeler was nonetheless pleased with the role he played in carrying on a decades-old tradition within the Davie Volunteer Fire Department today.
Wheeler is the newest Santa Claus in the fire department’s annual Christmas candy run, which goes through communities within the district’s some 10-square-mile boundary.
“I had a lot of fun,” Wheeler said at the end of the run, “and seeing how happy they were to see Santa.”
What impressed Wheeler the most about the day was the raw enthusiasm the children showed when catching a glimpse of Santa, who sat high in the passenger seat of a Davie fire truck and within some communities sat on the front grill to greet them. “The way they ran and hugged me surprised me a little bit. I’m going to do it next year.”
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Perhaps the biggest thing Wheeler took with him following the run was appreciation. “It makes me appreciate the community more. It makes me feel better knowing I can make someone happy by getting in a costume.”
The candy run began sometime between 1966 and 1970, said Michael Kidd, a captain within the department. “The idea is to help gain community support and give something back. There are so many children and so few places to see Santa Claus. Some are poor kids who might not see Santa. We pass out bags and let them see Santa.”
Wheeler, the latest Santa Claus in the department’s history of the candy run, was pleased to step up. “We needed someone to do it and I just got in. Why do something like that? I think it’s good for the community and the fire department and all the little kids.”
Harvey, right, shows her joy at seeing Santa.
Darrell Miles, also a captain within the department, said many people in the community don’t get to see this side of the fire department. Like the fundraisers they do and classes they take, it is often an unseen part of the department. “There’s a lot of stuff the public doesn’t get a chance to see.”
Ziamiraklee Harvey was perhaps the best example of the excitement generated by the sight of Santa on a big red fire truck as it rolled into the parking lot of a store in the Lincoln Heights community.
The child could barely contain herself, dancing and screaming enthusiastically at the sight of the Wheeler. “I’m just excited to see Santa,” the child said, asking Santa for a Barbie house.
Santa waves to children.
Her mother confirmed the obvious. “She is (excited). She hasn’t seen Santa in two years. She made the honor roll and she was just really excited.”
For Miles, the mission of the candy run was simple. “I think it brings everybody together.”
