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Firefighters from Ladder Company 122, Engine Company 220, and Tower Ladder Company 131 made a special holiday visit to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, bringing gifts and holiday cheer to the pediatric patients.

“Fireman Santa,” played by real-life Firefighter Paul Ribeiro, Engine 220, Ladder 122, visited the children on the pediatrics unit via a tower ladder and arrived by way of a window. Fireman Santa and his squad handed out gifts to both inpatient and outpatient children of all ages. The gifts were donated by groups and individuals from the community.

The annual visit from Santa and his trusty group of helpers is a cherished tradition that has been going on at the Hospital for at least three decades. This holiday ritual is one that delights the parents and staff as much as the children.

"This is such a wonderful treat for the kids," said Gaby Marden, director of the child life program at NYPBMH. "We want to make sure that even if some patients won't be home in time for Christmas, they can still get the holiday experience while in the Hospital. Thanks to our local firefighters from Ladder Company 122, Engine Company 220 and Tower Ladder 131, and the generous folks who donated gifts, Brooklyn Methodist was able to provide that."

NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital

Founded in 1881, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital is a voluntary, acute-care teaching facility located in Brooklyn's Park Slope. It houses 591 licensed inpatient beds and provides services to some 42,000 inpatients each year. In addition, approximately 500,000 outpatient visits and services are logged annually. NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital offers specialized care in the following areas: advanced and minimally invasive surgery, advanced otolaryngology, asthma and lung disease, cancer care, cardiology and cardiac surgery, diabetes and other endocrine disorders, digestive and liver disorders, healthy aging, neurosciences, orthopedic medicine and surgery, vascular medicine and surgery and women's health. NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital is affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine and is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Regional Hospital Network.