St. Nick’s ride-through will  need both Sat. and Sun.

By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Dec. 17, 2020) The Berlin Fire Company is expanding its annual Santa escort to a two-day event this weekend in town.

Fire Company President David Fitzgerald said the tour with Santa will cover the company’s entire fire coverage district on Saturday and Sunday, beginning at noon on both days.

Fitzgerald said the fire company decided to expand the tour because the town is too large to cover in one day during daylight.

On Saturday, the fire company will escort Santa on the west side of Route 113. Then, Santa will tour Berlin communities on the east side of Route 113 on Sunday.

In addition, the fire company is accepting nonperishable donations for Stevenson United Methodist Church’s Spirit Kitchen.

The Spirit Kitchen was established in 2011 to provide a free lunch every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a food pantry for people in need.

As a result of the economic downtown and other covid-19 concerns, the Spirit Kitchen has been offering a drive-through food pantry, where volunteers place canned and dry goods in the trunk of cars.

Appointments must be made for the drive-through pantry. For anyone in need of groceries, call 443-235-3531.

Fitzgerald encourages residents to leave their food contributions on the curb. Canned goods will be collected by cadets and fire company representatives throughout the Santa tour this weekend.

Fitzgerald also said all fundraising events for the fire company have been canceled because of social distancing restrictions amid the pandemic. Mailers have been sent to residents and the fire company is seeking donations for its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division.

Donations to the Berlin Fire Company EMS can be mailed to the Bank of Ocean City, 627 William St. Berlin, Maryland 21811.

Donations to the Berlin Fire Company can be mailed to Taylor Bank, P.O. Box 5 Berlin, Maryland 21811. Donors should indicate if the contribution is for a specific purpose.

According to the fire company’s website, there is a $1,000 donor plaque program for its headquarters and a Station 3 Building Fund plaque program.

For more information, visit berlinfire.com.