The North Pole’s head honcho paid some visits to pint-sized tots (and jovial adults) from across southern Brooklyn this past weekend to clock in some last-minute wishlists just before Christmas. Here’s where Brooklyn Paper’s Christmas correspondent caught up with him:
Sleighing down Fifth Avenue
Santa Claus was seen taking a ride down Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge with a few of his helpers on Saturday. He made a stop in front of PC’s Bar and the watering hole’s customers came flooding out for pictures with ol’ Saint Nick. There, the patron saint of Christmas even took the youngin’s out for a sleigh ride.
Buon Natale
Babbo Natale made a trip out to Bath Beach on Dec. 18 to catch a Christmas performance put on by a hardworking group of kiddos who are learning Italian at FIAO Il Centro! The children were dressed in red, green and white to greet Santa, who gave the children a standing ovation and a hearty “ho, ho, ho.”
‘Operation Christmas Smiles’
Hundreds of youngsters met Father Christmas and took home toys on Dec. 18 at Reaching Out Community Services’ annual toy drive — made possible with the help of dozens of local businesses and organizations who pitch in every year.
This year’s “Operation Christmas Smiles” was held outside of Reaching Out Community Services’ New Utrecht Avenue Headquarters in Bensonhurst.
Santa’s reindog
Children of police officers in Bay Ridge’s 68th Precinct were surprised with two special appearances at their Christmas event! Santa Claus was joined at the annual holiday affair by the newest K9 member of the precinct’s anti-terrorism unit, David the dog.
The canine officer is named after Police Officer David Guttenberg, who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 18, 1978.
