Brooklyn paramedics brought Christmas early to some of the city’s neediest children Sunday, continuing a tradition of their own.
For the past 17 years, EMT workers in Brooklyn have gone to the post office to read through the thousands of letters sent to Santa during the holiday season. They select about a dozen letters from the most unfortunate children, and then buy the gifts they want and deliver them in costume as Kris Kringle and his elves.
“We are able to save lives on a daily basis with our work as paramedics and EMTs but this is just a different way of touching a child’s life that normally you wouldn’t be able to do,” said paramedic Gary Smiley.
“This is the best Christmas ever,” said one gift recipient.
“I really can’t believe this,” added another grateful recipient. ”Thank you so much everybody for helping my family out.”
The EMT workers say the best part of the night is seeing the children’s faces light up when they realize Santa is real.