Video of parade-December 21, 2024
Local fire and law enforcement agencies teamed up with Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D. to bring Santa to Lexi Sanfratello’s doorstep in Oakfield on Saturday evening. Lexi is the youngest daughter of Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty on March 10, 2024
“My Aunt Rachel Sanfratello and I were approached by Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D. (Support Law Enforcement Drive), they are an organization that helps provide a Christmas to children who have lost a loved one in the line of duty,” says Rachel Diehl, Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D. supports law enforcement families throughout New York State who are experiencing a physical, mental, emotional or financial crisis due to an illness, serious physical injury or a death of a family member. Families selected provide a wish list for their child and how they would like gifts delivered.
Depending on the family’s preference, gifts can be delivered by Santa during a parade consisting of local law enforcement and local fire and EMS personnel or a private Santa delivery.
“We opted to take the parade route,” says Deputy Diehl.
Cindy and Scott Neff, who are from Montgomery County, near Albany, started Operation Santa’s S.L.E.D. in 2017. The idea came about at Cindy’s workplace when she and her coworkers decided to pass an envelope around to raise funds for a local Corrections Officer who was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer.
“Law enforcement from across the state can nominate families that are in need and can benefit from operation Santa’s S.L.E.D. We have all volunteers, people who help us fundraise, shop, and gift wrap,” says Cindy Neff, Santa’s S.L.E.D. organizer.
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Neff says her organization supports a wide variety of families and their different situations.
“It really means a lot to families to see the support and people still recognizing them, and the sacrifice the families made. They say it’s worth much more in support than what the gifts are,” says Scott Neff, organizer.
Oakfield Assistant Fire Chief Chad Hilchey, who was best friends with Sgt. Sanfratello, helped organize the parade which included Oakfield Fire, Town of Batavia Fire, Byron Fire, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and NYS Police.
“We never expected to do this, it’s good thing. We just want to make her smile, it’s her first Christmas without her dad and her grandma just passed away on Wednesday,” says Hilchey.
Deputy Rachel Diehl, Rachel Sanfratello, Lexi, Santa, and Chad Hilchey, Oakfield Assistant Fire Chief
Secrets however cannot be kept from Lexi.
“I’ve known for like months now, I know like mostly everything,” Lexi says.
What Lexi didn’t expect was the amount of people who showed up in the parade.
“It feels good, it’s exciting, I’m excited for Christmas.”
