Through the open car window, 4-year-old Bruce Bower shared what he wanted for Christmas with Santa Claus during a drive-thru event Friday evening.

Visits with Santa in the West End area are not occurring inside a building, nor can you sit on his lap this year due to precautions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s different to see the kids this way, but I love seeing their smiling faces. They’re excited for Christmas,” Santa Claus said Saturday. “The kids I saw this weekend are on the nice list.”

Santa said he received more letters this year than before.

Drive-thru visits

Bower was one of about 300 kids to visit with Santa at events hosted by the West End Park and Open Space Commission, Ross Township, and Chestnuthill Township this past weekend.

On Friday evening, Santa stood under the awning of Chestnuthill Township Park and stepped out into the cold rain as carloads of families lined up throughout the parking lot to eventually have their moment with Santa.

Bower’s grandfather Scott Frantz stopped the car so he could stick his head out the front passenger side window to tell Santa he wanted a toy truck and Minecraft toys.

While Santa spoke to the children, volunteers such as Amanda Hayes, an 11th-grade student at Pleasant Valley High School, handed treat bags and collected canned food donations from the adults. The food drive will benefit the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.

“I like making people smile and am doing this for community service for National Honor Society,” she said.

In a year of uncertainty and changing holiday traditions to keep everyone safe, “not being able to see all my family that I usually do has been challenging,” she said.

WEPOSC’s events usually involve a visit with Santa, crafts, music and refreshments indoors.

“Our cocoa and cookies are always a hit. We had to substitute them with packaged chocolate, lollipops and candy,” said Bernie Kozen, executive director of WEPOSC.

The red and green plastic treat bags this year contained the candy plus a craft, a coloring book, crayons and a small toy.

“Our motto is to make it work. We are very community oriented. We wanted to make it safe and follow the guidelines while still making it fun for the families,” said Kim Tuin, project coordinator of WEPOSC, who donned an elf hat, elf ears and blinking light necklace.

Her 13-year-old son, Michael Tuin, and 9-year-old daughter, Lauren Tuin, also were full of holiday cheer as they volunteered at the event, handing out free treat bags and selling punch cards for a fundraiser.

Santa stood outside Ross Township’s municipal building on Saturday afternoon, waving to cars and once again greeting the carloads of families. Some had their pet dogs along for the ride.

“I made my list and gave it to Santa. What I really want is a real unicorn,” said 7-year-old Brooke Parker. “It was cool seeing Santa through the window.”

At both events, Santa had a sense of humor and a hunger for cookies.

“I love chocolate chip cookies. I hope you leave me some of those,” he told the Parker family before they drove off.

Next to Santa stood balloon art decorations that added a touch of Christmas. Balloons by Robinson, which is based in Brodheadsville, made a large gold and silver wreath and a couple of snowmen for the two events.

Santa on a firetruck

Santa will be sitting in the front seat of a Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company truck and children will be able to stand by the door for a photo with Santa on Dec. 20.

This will occur during the fire company’s Santa Breakfast To-Go from 7 to 11 a.m., said Aaron Keller, president of the fire company.

Last year, the fire company took the photos and printed them for the families. This year, however, families will take the photos using their own camera or phone and then can print at home or elsewhere.

Photos with Santa are dependent on the weather. The public may contact the firehouse or check their Facebook page on the day of the event.

Orders can be made through Facebook Messenger, call ahead at 610-681-4370, or at the door.

Santa and Caroling

The Polk Township Memorial Commission will host its annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 13 at 4 p.m.

Due to the pandemic, everything will occur outside on Trach Road. The road will be blocked off to traffic.

“Santa will arrive on a Polk firetruck and hand out gifts. There will be crafts and snacks outside,” commission member Joan Mc­Kinsey said recently.

The tree lighting ceremony includes remarks from a few people and Christmas carols sung by everyone.

They usually go inside Salem-St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church across from the memorial for visits with Santa, refreshments and crafts.