16 The QUEE NS Courier • DECEMBER 24, 2015 for breaking news visit www.qns.com SANTA CLAUS & NEW YORK’S BRAVEST SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER IN BAYSIDE By Alina Suriel asuriel@queenscourier.com /@alinangelica A perfect team of childhood heroes were in Bayside on Dec. 18 to deliver holiday gifts to patients at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children. Santa Claus and firefighters of Engine Company 320 and Ladder Company 167 continued an annual tradition by delivering presents to St. Mary’s in an amazing spectacle which saw Ol’ St. Nick climbing down the hospital roof from the ladder of a fire truck. Children were bundled up in warm coats to watch the display, which concluded in a celebration where Santa, a team of firefighters and Jingle the Elf gave out presents. Red Cross member Sheryl Miller also led the FDNY carollers in a rousing round of holiday songs. Those youngsters who were unable to come outside for the display were treated to a merry visit from the whole team right in their hospital rooms. Firefighter Vinny Sottile, who helped arrange for Santa’s visit, has been participating in the annual holiday event for each of his 13 years with Ladder 167. According to Sottile, the annual holiday gift event has taken place for the past 16 years, and has grown larger with each passing year. Around $3,000 worth of presents were donated by organizers at Engine 320 Ladder 167 and participating local businesses, including Donovan’s Grill and Tavern, Raindew pharmacy, PC Richards and Son on Francis Lewis Boulevard and Engine Company 306 of Bayside. Sottile said that it was heartwarming to help patients at the hospital, which falls within the area served by the fire house. “It’s just a fantastic feeling to bring a smile to these really sick kids along with the rest of my guys,” Sottile said. “We love doing it, we can’t wait until this time of year rolls around.” He encourages other people to volunteer their time or donate funding or presents to the organization because it brings a light into the lives of children who may face difficult health challenges. The 5th graders who took part in the caroling trip will be the school’s first graduating class. Whitestone students sing Christmas carols to local businesses Photo courtesy of Nick Condomanolis The fifth-graders who took part in the caroling trip will be the school’s first graduating class. By Alina Suriel asuriel@queenscourier.com @alinangelica Children from Whitestone’s Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Day School brought a little bit of holiday cheer to local businesses Dec. 18 during a door-to-door Christmas caroling field trip. Principal Frederica Sagiani and Greek teacher Ellie Zhonga accompanied the fifth-graders to stores and businesses throughout Whitestone village, where they sang traditional songs and played musical triangles for that extra jingle-jangle effect. According to Sagiani, the school decided to go carolling in Whitestone to support businesses patronized by many of the parents and families of their student body. “We felt that it was important for us to spread the cheer of the holiday season,” Sagiani said. Photos courtesy of Nick Condomanolis The students will be the first graduating class at the private elementary school, which teaches a curriculum focusing on language, culture, and religion in both English and Greek. Christmas is one of the most revered holidays of the Greek Orthodox Church, and Sagiani said the children were ecstatic to take part in the festivities outside of their normal school routine. “It’s a wonderful tradition in Greece and we’re trying to relive it here as well,” Sagiani said. Nick Condomanolis, an employee at the Tasty Grill in Whitestone, saw the children at his workplace and posted their photo online to show his approval. He later told The Courier that they brightened up his day and made him proud to be from northeast Queens. “Nothing’s like home for the holidays and these kids made me proud to call Whitestone my home,” Condomanolis said.
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