Photos by Phil Dutton

Sure, Santa loves cookies and milk. But truth be told, he also has a big appetite for pizza. Which is a good thing, because on Dec. 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Washington Volunteer Fire Department holds its 15th annual “Slices with Santa” event.

The event is a fundraiser for the Washington Community Fund, which supports Washington families and individuals who face unforeseen emergencies and who require assistance with paying heating and utility bills, rent or mortgage payments, food, clothing, and medical bills. To date, the event has given $216,000 to the fund. 

The holiday tradition dates back 15 years, when Darryl Wright, a 23-year veteran of the department, and a few other firefighters came up with the idea.

 “We realized we are extremely lucky to be a very well-funded department and we thought we should give back to the community. We wanted to show the younger generation of men in the department that it isn’t always about taking, it’s about giving back too,” said Wright.

The whole department pitches in making the pizzas and by 5:15, the firehouse is packed. Santa arrives about 6:30 and takes a seat on the antique fire truck, where children can share a slice of his favorite pizza, which, by the way, is cheese. At $10 per person and $5 for children, the BYOB all-you-can-eat pizza and salad dinner is a holiday bargain.