Vienna’s volunteer fire department needs help to keep one of its longest-running holiday traditions alive.
The department launched a fundraiser this past Saturday (Oct. 4) to provide upkeep for Santa’s special sleigh — a 79-year-old antique fire engine.
“Our truck requires a full engine rebuild and an electrical rewire,” the department said. “Given the age, scarcity of parts and special expertise needed our refurbishment bills are rising fast.”
As of this morning (Wednesday), the campaign has raised over $21,000 — over 40% of the $50,000 goal.
The department has long used the vehicle, a 1946 Maxim Fire Engine, to spread holiday cheer in the town during its annual “Santa Runs.” Accompanied by sirens and music, Santa and his “elves” — actually volunteer firefighters — travel throughout Vienna in the days leading up to Christmas, distributing candy canes.
But, in past years, mechanical problems with the vintage vehicle have skyrocketed.
Last year, a failed starter solenoid took the sleigh out of service days before Christmas, and a “catastrophic failure” of the vehicle’s transmission sidelined Santa the year before.
“Our hope is to raise enough money to fix the immediate problems and take care of longer term maintenance items such as brakes, hoses and radiators so that the sleigh is trouble free for many years to come,” the department said.
The Santa Run schedule is traditionally announced in late November and begins in early December.
