By Matt Draper
Special to DNAinfo
TIMES SQUARE — Dozens of children, widows and family members of fallen FDNY firefighters joined Santa Claus, superheroes and a few famous New York athletes on Sunday at the Times Square Toys “R” Us to remember lost loved ones and celebrate the holiday season.
Now in its 10th year, the Uniformed Firefighters Association Widows’ and Children’s Holiday Party offered a few hours of holiday fun for the families, many of whom have bonded since meeting just months after the attacks of 9/11.
“I remember when we walked through the doors the first time,” said Madeline Bergin, wife of Rescue Team 5 firefighter John Bergin of Staten Island, who died on 9/11. “Everyone was pretty much still in a daze. Now, 10 years later, we actually smile when we’re here.”
Bergin, who has come each year with her four children, said the best part is reconnecting with other families.
“It’s great seeing all of the my friends from the other fire companies that I’ve gotten to know and love during the past 10 years,” she said, holding a bag of gifts for her niece, 7-year-old Samantha Fleming, who was busy chatting up the Power Rangers.
“I’ve met some pretty amazing people through years, and it’s really a beautiful thing they do for us every year.”
Bergin’s youngest child, Shannon, 16, said she has also developed friendships with fellow event attendees.
“I love coming and seeing everyone,” she said. “I still talk to all the kids. We text message each other. But seeing them in person is a totally different thing.”
Portia Johnson, from Inwood, brought her son Van to pick out toys and share memories of her husband and Van’s father, Vanclive Johnson, who died on 9/11 while serving with FDNY Ladder 135.
“When I buried my husband, I was actually eight months pregnant with him,” Johnson said of her son. “They never got to meet. So to me this kind of keeps my husband celebrating the holidays with us.”
While 8-year-old Van said they were there “for daddy,” he couldn’t hide his excitement as he waited in line to meet St. Nick, who arrived at the event on a fire truck.
“I’m excited because it’s Toys “R” Us,” he said. “And I want to see Santa and get on the Ferris wheel.”
In addition to a meet-and-greet with Santa, gift giveaways and face painting, the event featured appearances by superheroes like Iron Man and Spider-Man, as well as Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, former MLB pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden, and former NBA All-Star and Knicks commentator Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
Frazier, who greeted families next to a fire truck parked outside the store, said he came to say hello to the kids and pay tribute to the FDNY.
“It really brings it home — the American tradition of giving back and not forgetting and helping those in need. ” the basketball great said.
“And I wouldn’t miss Santa for the world.”
