Emergency delivery

U.S. Postal Service reroutes letters children addressed to North Pole, and Costa Mesa firefighters pick up Santa’s slack, delivering Christmas wishes to needy families. Santa’s elves traveled in style Thursday.

Riding in bright red fire engines, the elves -- members of the Costa Mesa Firefighters Assn. -- answered Christmas wishes and delivered presents to Costa Mesa boys and girls.

Children’s letters to Santa Claus were passed on to the Costa Mesa firefighters from the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service passed children’s letters to Santa Claus on to Costa Mesa firefighters, who then doled out presents, food and clothing to seven families.

The firefighters even came prepared with a few Christmas trees.

Wearing Santa hats, the firefighters piled presents in the back of their rigs and pulled up with lights and sirens blazing in front of each house.

For Vianey Ramirez and her children, the morning visit was an emotional experience. Her husband works full time and she stays home to take care of the kids; between rent and everything else they didn’t have any extra money for Christmas presents this year.

“I’m so happy for my kids,” Ramirez said, wiping tears from her eyes.

As firefighters hauled in a Christmas tree and bags of presents, she gave everyone a hug.

Ramirez wrote the Santa letters on behalf of her two children, Ivan Guerrero, 5, and Stephanie Guerrero, 3.

“Dear Santa,” Ramirez said, reading from Ivan’s letter. “My wish for this Christmas is a bike.”

Firefighter paramedic Todd Palombo started the toy run five years ago.

“It’s a great gift to be able to do this,” Palombo said.

The firefighters shopped specifically for the presents that children asked for from Santa. This year, they also brought along extras for any unexpected children, such as relatives or neighbors, Palombo said.

Capt. Mike Hastert was participating in the Thursday morning toy run after coming off a long shift. He said he didn’t mind being a little tired.

“They [the kids] light up like Christmas trees when they see us come,” Hastert said.

He was accompanied by his 18-year-old son, Adam, who wants to be a firefighter someday.

“This is just great stuff for him to see,” Hastert said. “Because this is what we do, community outreach.”

Santa’s sleighs were two retired fire engines, one owned by the firefighters association and the other owned by Don Pogue, a member of the Crown Club, a fire engine collectors club.

“This is the kind of stuff we like to do,” said Pogue, of the club’s involvement with community outreach. PHOTOS BY WENDI KAMINSKI / DAILY PILOTTodd Palombo gives Gocelyn Marquez, 5, of Costa Mesa gifts on behalf of Santa. Palombo and other Costa Mesa firefighters answered children’s letters to Santa Claus.Dan Mudro drives a firetruck to deliver toys to children in Costa Mesa. 20051223irxckmncPHOTOS BY WENDI KAMINSKI / DAILY PILOT(LA)Todd Palombo gives Gocelyn Marquez, 5, of Costa Mesa gifts on behalf of Santa. Palombo and other Costa Mesa firefighters answered children’s letters to Santa Claus.20051223irxcl6ncPHOTOS BY WENDI KAMINSKI / DAILY PILOT(LA)