notforsale

Nostalgia Nook (this story first ran Dec. 24, 2009): KARI PETERSEN told the Ear that KATE BEREZAY, 12, and her brother, WILL BEREZAY, 9, got quite a treat during the ASTORIA FIRE & RESCUE FOOD DRIVE Dec. 11. The children have wanted a GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY for some time. Their parents, RICK and WENDY BEREZAY said no, not until we have our own house, which they moved into in October.

Will and Kate wrote a Christmas letter saying thank you for all the previous toys, but we don’t need any this year, we just want a puppy. They typed up a contract and taped it to the front door, stipulating they would take care of a dog and be responsible for feeding it. The Berezays gave in, and bought a 12-week-old male golden retriever puppy from HOLLY LARKINS, who kept the puppy until they were ready to give it to the children.

Wendy came up with the idea of having the puppy be at the fire station, and when the family would go to drop off a food donation, Santa Claus could give the children the puppy. FIRE CHIEF LENARD HANSEN had an even better idea — to put the puppy on the fire truck with Santa during the food drive.

The Berezay family met the fire truck at a park on Alameda Avenue. When Santa (with special assistance by PERRY BROWNING) saw them, he said on the loudspeaker, “Is that you Kate and Will? Stop the fire truck, stop the fire truck! I have something for you.” The children were absolutely dumbfounded when Santa jumped off the truck and handed them a red Christmas stocking containing the puppy.

Pictured left, Astoria Fireman JASON LOCKETT holding the puppy. Pictured right, from left, Will Berezay, Santa, and Kate Berezay.

“The kids will remember that for such a long time,” Rick said. “It was a neat experience for everybody involved.”

— Elleda Wilson