The children lined up for a reassuring visit with Santa, a photo and a gift as well as some fun interaction with the Elf who Dominguez said this year was dressed in what “looked like a green tuxedo but had red and white stripped stockings, it was really cute.”
She noted the event was particularly touching because when children handicapped by chronic health conditions had their visit they would leave Santa, “With big tears in his eyes...”
There were plenty of Explorers on hand under the direction of Reserve Sgt. David Curran, the assistant coordinator of the Post as well as Community Service Officer Luz Oseguera and Cadet Martha Reynolds-Brown, who helped make toy runs and keep the event running smoothly. Sgt. Jimmy Fogata and his three children were helping to distribute toys, as was Police Chief Steve McLean and his family.
“Everybody,” said Dominguez, “knew exactly what to do...with the cooperation of Citizens Patrol and the Explorers I didn’t have to worry about how things were going, they knew exactly what to do and everything, as always fell into place.”
And that included members of the public that started showing support by stepping up a week ago in a most unlikely place.
“When we were shopping at Big Lots last week people were coming up to us and donating money for gifts...it made me feel so good that people would see us shopping and walk up and give us a $20 bill or a $50 bill. It was the first year that happened.”
Another first for Dominguez was her own feeling about the event: “I think this was the first year I really relaxed and enjoyed myself, had my big red antlers on so if anybody needed to find me they could just follow the antlers.”
