It's not everyday firefighters and police join forces with Santa Claus.

But Thursday, emergency crews in Hillsborough County surprised children at Oak Park Elementary with two very special guests.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus' unexpected stop certainly made school a bit livelier. The students sang Christmas songs as they walked in line.

The visit kicks off the 28th year for the Sincerely Santa program which provides presents to children who need it most.

At Oak Park Elementary, kindergarteners listened to Santa read a story. They unwrapped donated presents. Then the children told Santa what they wanted for Christmas.

Most children asked for toys and electronics, but some of them also wrote letters that asked for much more than that.

"Dear Santa, I need money for a new house because my sisters and my mom are living at my grandmas," wrote 8-year-old Cora.

"What I would like is a bed for me and my brother," wrote 7-year-old Reggie.

"We've gotten several letters this year of people asking for a bed," said Debra Hoffman, Treasurer of Sincerely Santa. "One little girl asked for a sleeping bag so she wouldn't be cold."

Normally, that wouldn't be a problem for Santa's helpers. But this year, the program faces a major crisis after abruptly losing one of its sponsors.

"I now have over 1,000 children that I have no sponsorship for," Hoffman said.

They're hoping the community pulls through to help Santa make this a special Christmas for those Bay area children.

"It's rewarding to see that smile, we don't know what the home conditions are, but to put a smile on a child's face, that's a memory that will last a lifetime," said David Raasch, a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue driver who heads the Sincerely Santa program.

To learn more about the program, call (813) 841-4611.

To make a contribution, you can send a check to:

Sincerely Santa

5802-A E. Fowler Ave., Suite 167

Tampa, FL 33617

You can also sponsor a child's wish list by visiting the Sincerely Santa Elf booth at Westfield Town Center in Brandon.