IN PICTURES: ISLAMORADA FIRE RESCUE TAKES SANTA AROUND TOWN

By
Jim McCarthy
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An Islamorada Fire Rescue truck makes its way onto Bee Street, which was Santa’s final stop of the evening.

Fire trucks decorated in Christmas lights stopped along the village streets, transporting Santa and carolers to meet the children on the evening of Dec. 5. Some 30 stops were made in Islamorada beginning at the Islamorada Mobil in Lower Matecumbe and ending on Bee Street on Plantation Key. Joining Santa was Mrs. Claus and Islamorada Fire Rescue. U.S. Marines collected new, unwrapped toys for donations to Florida Keys Toys for Tots. 

  • Bee Street residents get a group photo with Santa.
  • Children hang out on Bee Street near the float that carries Santa and Mrs.
  • An Islamorada Fire Rescue truck makes its way onto Bee Street, which was Santa’s final stop of the evening.
  • Children meet up with Mrs. Claus during the final stop on Bee Street.
  • Retired U.S. Marines Gy. Sgt. Lou “Gunny” Slagle, Florida Keys Toys for Tots coordinator, joins Santa and fire rescuers in the parade. People were able to donate gifts to Toys for Tots.

Photos by DOUG FINGER

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Jim McCarthy
https://twitter.com/keysweekly?lang=en
Jim McCarthy is a northerner who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since his graduation from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 3 years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. Behind every community is resiliency and resolve in difficult times. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim serves as President of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. “It’s a group that lives by the motto ‘Service Above Self,’” he says. “We’ve done service projects at the Tavernier nursing home, sitting down and socializing with residents. “We’ve also supplied cameras to young students exploring the Keys ecosystem.” Jim loves sports, family and time exploring underneath the water depths.

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