Sunday, December 15, 2002
The Second Annual Firehouse Caroling Event

Here are some of the comments we received from carolers:

I was one of the carolers last year and found it to be great fun, a highlight of my holiday and very rewarding to think that we were giving back to those who give so much to the city. I must admit, it was with some apprehension that I approached this year since 9/11 was over a year away. I could not have been more wrong! We were received with great enthusiasm and appreciation at the 3 firehouses we went to and once again, the holiday spirit prevailed. - Diane McCulloh

I enjoyed the caroling immensely. The group I was with on the West Side of Manhattan was headed by Richard Skipper, and not only did we sing at firehouses, but we sang as we walked through the streets, with Richard as Carol Channing. It was a hoot! - Judy Lieberman

Having very recently lost an extremely close friend, the fire house caroling was just what the doctor ordered - a chance to give back to others who have experienced tragic loss and had to carry on. The Soho/West Village group was also a riot - and - Ron Howard gave us a big thumbs up on Prince street! Thank you for a great first-NYC-Christmas-season day. Merry Ho Ho Ho. - J. Todd Fernandez

Thank you again Sam Servello for all your hard work to put together MAC's outreach - singing for our NYC Firefighters. This is a tremoundous job, but one that is well worth it.
One year after 9/11 found not much changed. Although time has passed for us, one still feels the deep sense of loss among the firefighters. They are a really close community of men who are willing to risk their lives at any time for you or me and not only do they deserve our thanks, it is an honor to spend time with them. This year once again I got the sense of what open, warm and caring individuals they are, while at the same time they are just regular guys.
On a rather humorous note, did you notice, both last year and this - the favorite seasonal song of the firefighters is "Let It Snow"? It does have that reference to "the fire is slowly dying"... And on the more serious side, "Silent Night" is a song that brings depth beyond anything we have known with the line, "Sleep in heavenly peace"... When you look in the eyes of these men, you know what they have seen.
I wish more people could take advantage of this opportunity to join together in elebration of song and life, bringing us all closer together to our community and each other. - Michelle Russell

As much as it meant to the firefighters and their families -- it lifted my spirits and will make my holiday more meaningful and more memorable to have been able to share our caroling with these very brave and beautiful people.
I wish everyone a splendid holiday! - Bonnie Lee Sanders

I just wanted to say that I had a wonderful time. It was really a great experience to know that I was giving back whatever I could to the firefighters of New York. I had never been caroling before and I can't wait to do it again next year. Thanks for the opportunity.
Happy Holidays
Scott Davis

As you probably heard, our group [Group B] had an interesting day. At each of the two firehouses visited, the firemen were called out after the first song. Is this a sign?
To fill in the time between visits, we all marched to Lincoln Center Plaza , placed ourselves in front of the tree and caroled for all those around us. We had an appreciative audience, parents, kids, et al who also joined in. - Florynce Bronstein (co-captain of Group B: The Lincoln Center Group)

It was so much fun - I think we must have a record of singing one song at the first firehouse and 1.5 at the second before the alarm calls came. Singing at Lincoln Center tree was also fun. Happy Holidays, - Ian foster

I very much enjoyed the chance to sing, entertain, get myself and the firefighter families in a Holiday spirit and get to know some of my fellow MAC members. It seemed like a win-win for everybody. - John Sterba

Our group had a lovely time, and we especially enjoyed the participation of the firefighters' children in the singing! We were invited in to a Christmas party, and several folks requested particular carols. It was a warm and generous crowd, and they really appreciated the "entertainment."
Carolyn Montgomery (co-captain of Group E: Chelsea/Union Square Group)

I'm new to MAC and I sang in Richard Skipper's (aka Carol Channing!) group. What fun! I met other MAC members I didn't know, we took the stage at Chez Suzette, found one of our firehouses empty (they'd all gone to their Xmas party) so we tracked them down a few blocks away and sang at the party! It worked out great and the firemen and their families were so appreciative and gracious. What a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon! - Pam Tate

The firemen and their families were delighted to see (and hear) us, and we had so much fun caroling through the streets of Soho and the Village, spreading good will! - Page Sampson

Thank you all so much for a absolutely magical day! Would you ever have thought in a million years that we would get to ride around Harlem in a New York City Fire Department fire truck, with horns and sirens and all? Or slide down a firepole? I don't know about you, but I couldn't possibly eat another homemade firehouse cookie or another five-alarm buffalo wing! I can't wait to see the pictures of us wearing their hats! Can you believe we actually had a stage to stand on at 145th? I don't know who had more fun - the ten of us or the firemen! Especially that one guy at 125th who regaled us with tales of his tryout for the Temptations. And whenever I ride the M11 I will remember us singing Rudolph to the kids on the bus. - Joy Dewing (Co-captian of Group A: Columbia/ Cathedral Group)