The Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department will host its first Santa Run in mid-December.

The idea was introduced by a current firefighter who had a similar event at his former fire department.

“We thought it was a good idea, so we ran with it,” said Lt. Chris Bailey of the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department.

The purpose of the event is to have Santa — riding in one of the department’s fire trucks, of course — deliver gifts to children in the area. Bailey said the gifts will be pre-selected by the parents of the recipients.

The department, located at 300 Kings Highway, will serve as the gift drop off point. Gifts can be dropped off during the following dates and times: Nov. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m., Dec. 3-4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Dec. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Parents are encouraged to wrap the gifts and to include a name tag for their children. There will also be sign-up sheets at the fire department, where parents must include their information to ensure the gifts are delivered to the right location.

The department plans to deliver gifts along the Route 10 corridor to the 4800 block of Godwin Boulevard and to Tan Road in Isle of Wight County; Kings Highway corridor to the Kings Highway Bridge, (including streets off of Kings Highway); Crittenden Road corridor to Hobson Drive (including streets off of Crittenden Road); Everets Road to Lake Prince and Milners intersection, (including streets off of Everets); Longview Drive corridor to Longview Bridge and the Suffolk city line, (including streets off of Longview) and Woodland Drive to Carroll Bridge Road (including streets off of Woodland).

The delivery dates will be Dec. 17 and 18 from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Bailey assured parents they will be notified ahead in advance of the fire truck’s estimated time of arrival.

“We want to bring something different to our community,” Bailey said. “Just some extra Christmas cheer.”

For more information, contact Bailey at 610-8386 or lieutenant.bailey@cvfd.com.