There'll be no excuse for Baldwin Borough families to miss Santa Claus this year, as the jolly old elf will appear at both ends of the borough in a four-day period.

North Baldwin residents will have their crack at the big man on Dec. 5, as the Baldwin Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a Christmas event at the Baldwin Municipal Complex along Churchview Avenue that night from 6 to 8:30.

The event is free to the public and will feature Christmas carolers, a deejay, crafters, hot chocolate, coffee, other treats, face-painting, the lighting of the borough Christmas tree and, of course, a visit from Santa.

In the spirit of giving, folks are asked to donate a non-perishable food item or money to be given to local food pantries.

Plenty of parking is available on the complex grounds.

Then, on Dec. 8, the South Baldwin Volunteer Fire Company welcomes borough families to its station along McAnulty Road from 1 to 3 p.m. for another holiday event.

That event, also free to the public, allows children to sit with Santa in a south Baldwin fire truck for pictures.

The firefighters will have 2013 lottery calendars for sale at the event. Each calendar, which features fire safety information and pictures of the firefighters—that's right; the "Gangnam Style" guys—has two three-digit numbers on it good for over 200 chances to win double your money back in 2013.

The calendars cost $25 each and are tax-deductible. There are fewer than 500 calendars available.

Plenty of parking is available behind the station in the South Baldwin Social Hall lot.

 ---

Follow the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch on Facebook and Twitter.

Sign up for the daily Baldwin-Whitehall newsletter.