Train will bring Santa to Freehold on Dec. 15
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

FREEHOLD - You better watch out. The man with the big red bag of goodies is on his way to Freehold Borough.

Santa Claus will arrive via Conrail freight train at the Freehold bus (old railroad) station at the corner of West Main and Throckmorton streets at noon on Dec. 15. The jolly gift-giver will greet boys and girls and deliver candy and goodies to them on his annual pre-Christmas visit to town.

This year's visit will mark the 10th anniversary of the Santa train, according to Jayne Carr, executive director of the Freehold Center Partnership. The event is sponsored by the Freehold Borough Police Benevolent Association No. 159, CSX Conrail and the partnership, Carr said.

Freehold Borough Patrolman Chris Colaner has headed up the event for nine years. He recalled that the Santa train started 10 years ago when Joseph Garofolo, a Freehold Township resident and district supervisor for Northwest Conrail, began what has since become a holiday tradition.

Colaner said he saw the Santa train and asked Garofolo if the police could get involved. He said Garofolo was happy to oblige that request and borough police have been involved with the event ever since.

As always, police officers will be on hand to help, guiding children and helping to dole out the goodies Santa brings to town. With the help of PBA members, Conrail employees and cooperation from the community and business owners, children will go home with candy canes and a Christmas gift.

Duane Stassi, who is a special police officer with the department, will be on hand to DJ the event, spinning Christmas tunes and filling the area around the bus station with upbeat holiday fare from his music station at the firehouse annex across from the bus station.

"This is our way of giving back to the community," Colaner said, adding that the community has always been a great help in making this event possible for children.

The officer said an event such as this helps to foster good relations with members of the public.

"If more people would give, less people would have to ask," Colaner said.