Residents Host Fundraiser to Save Santa's Central Coventry Visit
Santa Claus's annual tour of Central Coventry neighborhoods may be in jeopardy, but residents are stepping up to help.
After learning that the Central Coventry Fire District may not be able to escort Santa Claus on his annual neighborhood visits this year, two Coventry residents have organized a community event in hopes of saving the beloved holiday tradition.
For more than 20 years, the fire district has taken Santa Claus for a ride through nearby neighborhoods to visit Coventry children and their families during the Christmas season. The tour generally takes about five nights to cover the district, with firefighters volunteering their time to drive the fire truck, but the cost of fuel will be the hurdle this year.
Central Coventry Fire District has been in the midst of a special mastership since October, allowing only court-appointed Special Master Richard Land to make financial decisions. The $1,800 fuel bill required to complete Santa's tour is not one that the district can currently afford - a point that Captain David Gorman recently said may cause it to be canceled this year.
"The Santa details are something that our guys really want to do because we honestly enjoy doing it," said Gorman. "But it takes us an entire week to cover our district and it costs money to fuel the truck."
In hopes of saving the tradition, residents Ray and Cheryl Robbio have organized a Chili Cook-Off for Dec. 15 from 1-5 p.m. at the Coventry Men's Club, located at 30 Phillips Hill Road. There will be a $10 fee per person, which includes "all the chili you can eat, until it runs out", entry into a 50/50 raffle and the opportunity to vote for the winner of the cook-off who will then receive a prize. Children 12 and under are free.
"The Central Coventry firefighters volunteer their time to do this for residents each year, so we decided to help out and hope raise as close to the $1,800 as possible to pay for the fuel for the fire truck," said Ray.
Many members of the community have also reached out to the fire district and offered donations to cover the Santa detail's fuel costs. Any additional funds raised for the cause will be saved and used for Santa's future visits to Coventry.
Those interested in entering the competition or donating to the cause should contact Ray at 5alarmhotchili@gmail.com or by phone at (401) 249-0312.
kristen
4:07 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
do they really need to have Santa ride around on a town truck?? would anyone really miss the loud obnoxious sirens at dusk?? why not use the fundraising money on something worth funding for ?? Like helping out less fortunate families maybe because after all it is Xmas an people are struggling.. just a thought. $1800 in fuel is a bit excessive dont you think?? put it toward a better cause . OR better yet DONT fund this idea.
Another Voter
11:27 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Wow, hey Scrooge or is it Krsten, open your heart and eyes it is a time for giving and peace if the event can get outside funding it should happen. Families in my neighbor love the fact that this has happened in the past and look foward to it yearly. Oh yeah check the schedule it starts at 5:30 PM about one and a half hours after dusk your timing is way off. Get a clue and smile it may help you in life!!!!!!!!!!!!
kristen
11:27 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
my point was that the money could fund something more helpful. Santa doesn't need to ride around for $1800... people are in a hardship encase you haven't noticed.
kristen
11:27 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Go ask Chafe for the money...
Leave RI
11:27 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Thanks Lauren.
This sounds like a good idea from the Robbio family. It'll be nice to have some chili in the chilly (sorry) weather. If I get back there in time I will certainly go.
shelly scarsella
2:05 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Kristen, It's " in case" not encase, unless you're putting it inside something. Let the kids have their Christmas tradition. Lauren, Is there a way to make a donation if you can't make the fundraiser?
Lauren Costa
10:02 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
There sure is! The policy has just been changed though, due to CCFD's Special Mastership. Checks can be made out to Raymond Robbio with "Santa Fund" in the memo. After police and fire representatives review the donations, Ray will then write one lump check to the district as he has been advised to do.
Kelly Powers
11:55 am on Thursday, December 13, 2012
Some people might think its obnoxious but my children look forward to this every year, this is a memory my children will cherish for a lifetime. Thank you Lauren for the info. If my family cannot attend the cook off we will definitely be donating! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!