MEET SANTA’S PERSONAL CHAUFFEUR, LEE STOERMER!

BY RESIDENT AND JUNIOR WRITER MADISON GRIFFIN THIS FEATURE

BY HILLYARD AUTOMOTIVE

For the last three years, Willowsford residents young and old have looked forward to seeing the flashing lights of the firetruck pulling Santa’s sleigh wind their way through our neighborhood. It wouldn’t be the holiday season without this event. I am thankful to my mom, Laura Griffin, for every July emailing the Arcola Fire Department to make sure we are on the list for the yearly parade. Did you know that the Grove’s very own Lee Stoermer, a volunteer with the Arcola Fire Department, is Santa’s official driver? Our community has a special connection to the parade, which makes it even more fun.

How much do you look forward to doing this every year? We all look forward to the Santa parades every year. Planning for these actually begins several months in advance, with a couple of people working with the neighborhoods on routes and schedules. Then loading the sleigh, decorating and the events themselves take many more hours of work. It is one of the most anticipated events of the year that we are involved with.

What motivates you to do the Santa truck events? We are all motivated by the response of the kids, and not just the young kids! Hearing some of the parents’ cheers while driving by gets us nearly as much of a smile as does the kids’ cheers. The “older” kids (parents and grandparents!) get just as excited. Seeing everyone’s enjoyment in the parade and the smiles and cheers on seeing Santa is what motivates us in our effort and time to this project. That is probably my favorite part, closely followed by the comradery of the crew that does the parade production. There is a wide group of people involved with planning, preparing and then the actual parade itself. The fire department is like another family.

How do you decide who drives the big guy, and do you take turns?

The decision on who gets the privilege and honor of driving Santa comes down to who has the training, experience and ability to operate the vehicle. Driving a fire engine is more involved than a regular car or truck. And driving the truck that pulls the sleigh has its own special set of skills and experience requirements. Both require a level of responsibility and awareness even above operating a regular automobile because of the situation involved. In the excitement of seeing Santa, many people will drop their level of safety awareness and we have to be ever watchful of any children that may run up too close to the moving vehicle in their excitement to see Santa up close and personal. So, in addition to the higher-than-normal level of caution, we are even more diligent in these duties while being Santa’s chauffeur. We want everyone to enjoy the event but also to do so safely.

Do you think this should be done everywhere?

I believe that the spirit of Santa should be shared everywhere with everyone. Can the parades be done everywhere? Probably not. Mainly is the logistics of it. We aren’t like Santa and able to cover everywhere in one night! So, by using our people resources the best we can we try to cover the most neighborhood possible, without taking away all their time for their families as well. That is why we don’t go down every street, instead traveling certain routes that the apparatus can safely negotiate while accommodating the people watching the parade. And doing that makes it even more special, wouldn’t you agree? I like the neighborhoods that have more specific direct routes, not because it is a shorter route but because it draws the neighborhood out together, lining along the streets that are chosen to be the special routes as a community event. In addition, the parade becomes a focal point in collections of donations for food, clothing and funds that then get allocated to the Dulles Food Pantry, USMC Toy For Tots and other local Loudoun County charities.

What is your favorite holiday candy?

My favorite holiday candy isn’t really candy but hot chocolate with a marshmallow! So, I guess that’s close to candy as it is sweet, although Chik-fil-A’s holiday peppermint shake is a really close second!

What motivated you to become a firefighter?

I have been involved with emergency services for over 40 years. I started as a volunteer firefighter when a high school friend’s dad, who happened to be a volunteer firefighter, took us to the station one day. Then after being in the Marines after high school, I was hired as a career firefighter paramedic. Retiring from active fire fighting then, after 32 years, I still work for the Loudoun County Fire Department in a different capacity but still volunteer with Arcola Volunteer Fire in support services. Being a firefighter, what drew me into it and involved with emergency services is a whole other story in all of its adventures, and not enough time to go into here! It has been a great career overall, not without its challenges, though.

This parade is a very special event and one that I, and all the members of the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department, are proud to offer to the community every year.