Ho, ho, ho!
A romp with the jolly ol’ elf, capped by a dollop of cheer, was on the merry menu when New Utrecht Reformed Church hosted a breakfast with Santa.
St. Nick, better known as Bensonhurst activist and Courier-Life columnist Carmine Santa Maria, wowed the crowd as he launched his seasonal community jaunt with a pitstop at the historic house of worship, 84th Street and 18th Avenue.
Decked to the merry hilt in a blazing red Santa suit, the founder of the Bensonhurst West End Civic Association wowed the crowd as he dispensed gifts and goodwill to festive frolickers.
“This is a labor of love because the enjoyment of the tots hugging you is priceless,” said Santa Maria, who has had tens of thousands of children give him a holiday hug over the years.
The grassroots gladiator cut a dashing figure as he held court on an authentic 18th century bishop’s chair alongside a towering Yuletide timber.
The annual holiday repast was a benefit for the church’s Cub Scout Pack 20 and Boy Scout Troop 20, which is the oldest active Boy Scout troop in America.
