As most students arrived at St Rose of Lima School last Friday morning, they were greeted by Santa Claus.

They also remained in their coats and stayed outside the school’s entrance, awaiting the arrival of three fellow students who enjoyed a special ride to school that day.

Just after 8 am Friday, December 15, Newtown Hook & Ladder’s Engine 113 turned from Church Hill Road into the parking lot of the parochial school. Its lights flashing, the truck approached the school to the applause of students, staff including SRS Principal Bardhyl Gjoka, Sister Thaddeus, and even a few parents.

Within a few minutes the rear passenger door of the engine opened and Santa began helping three girls — Ella Grecco and sisters Kinsley and Brielle Floody, all dressed in beautiful red coats — disembark from the truck. Hook & Ladder members Rachael and Dan Gindraux also emerged from the truck.

The special ride was the result of a winning bid by the Grecco family, who were the high bidders during the live auction portion of St Rose School’s recent Blooms Benefit honoring Monsignor Robert Weiss.

Newtown Hook & Ladder had donated the fire truck ride for the November 10 fundraiser at The Summit in Danbury.

St Rose School Director of Mission Advancement Laura Moulder said more than 250 people gathered to celebrate Weiss’s impact on the school, parish and community through the years as well as to support St Rose School.

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, with funds raised helping to bridge the tuition gap, which is approximately $2,500 per student,” she said, adding, “It was a great success.”

Friday’s ride to school for Ella and her friends was also a success. All three girls climbed out of the fire truck with huge smiles, and joined fellow students in starting their school day with something a little out of the ordinary.

Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.