Volunteers save Santa at Saugus schools

SAUGUS (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) —Santa has been saved at elementary schools in Saugus.

Every year, Santa and some Saugus off-duty firefighters go to schools there and hand out gifts and goodies to the kids. The fire department's union head told the Saugus Advertiser that they couldn't keep the 50-plus year tradition alive because of scheduling conflicts among the off-duty firefighters. They also pointed to cuts in the number of firefighters on staff.

Fox 25 learned Monday afternoon that the firefighters union and school officials had come to a "mutually agreeable" schedule that will allow firefighters to bring Santa to the schools.

Officials said more volunteers stepped forward and they now have more than they need.

Last year, the Saugus school superintendent canceled the event, saying he needed to comply with federal, state and school committee rules. That decision was quickly reversed.

Cox Media Group