Santa Visits Byram – Byram Residents Team Up to Help Family That Lost Home and Belongings to Blaze

BYRAM – The Christmas Spirit is all around Byram Township, in a “pay-it-forward” kind of way, reflecting one of the mottos flying around town, “Byram strong, Byram proud.”

After an interactive and amusing show by Rizzo’s Reptiles (which included visits from various creatures, from a frog to a hedgehog to a snapping turtle to a massive Albino Burmese Python) then an exciting few moments of anticipation, the children of Byram waited last night, Sun., Dec. 1, around the tree at the side of the Cranberry Lake Firehouse. As they watched, suddenly, the tree was aglow with lights and holiday sparkle.

Brave parents help to hold up a python, during the Rizzo’s Reptile Show.

Brianna Kash shows her holiday spirit with her Rudolph nose and antlers.

Minutes later, sirens blared from Route 206 North and in the distance, red and blue lights could be seen, as a fire truck raced along the highway. The kids squealed with delight and enthusiasm. Just before the fire department, the engine slowed down. Out stepped Mrs. Claus with a wave, followed by Santa. Santa and Mrs. Claus exuberantly gathered with the children, and were escorted in, surrounded by a herd of young people, as well as parents, from the front and back. At that point, the residents enjoying the festivities spent time together for a meal, and it was time for Santa to meet with the children, and let them tell him their Christmas wishes.

Santa and Mrs. Claus step off of the fire truck.

Click the video at the top of this article for highlights of the event.

The evening had a solemn undertone, as the residents acknowledged the Risco Family, a township family that lost everything, including their home on Richmond Road, to a devastating fire, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Both parents suffered significant burns in the fire – the children were not burned. Various efforts are underway to help the family rebuild their lives. While there, donations of clothing and household items were accepted.

Notes greeted residents on every table:

“I am asking if anyone has anything to donate, please donate to this family.”

Donations can be dropped of at 4 Richmond Road or at the Cranberry Lake Firehouse.

Unit 1005 at Metro Self Storage (159 Route 183 in Stanhope) is also secured for donations, and items of any kind can be dropped off during the storage center’s normal business hours.

The Byram PTA is also collecting donations and gift cards, which can be sent in to the schools, attention to Keri Fleming.

This was the note on Byram Police Department’s Facebook Page on Nov. 30:

“Early this morning a Byram Township family lost all they own in a devastating house fire. Both parents are being treated at a burn hospital for injuries they sustained in the fire. The family of five was forced out with only the clothes on their backs. Donations of gift cards for clothes, food and supplies for the family from the community are being accepted by a neighbor at 4 Richmond Road, off of Lackawanna Drive. Clothing sizes for the children are as follows: Jimmy wears a men’s size 14 shoe and a 4x jacket. Cathy wears a women’s size 12 or a men’s size 10 shoe as well as a 2x jacket. Michael wears a men’s size 12 shoe and a 2x in jacket. All donations will be greatly appreciated by the family.”

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