With The Big Red Guy and his hard-working crew busy as ever over the coming holiday, a group of borough-based volunteer responders is lending a hand (and a big red piece of heavy equipment) on behalf of Red Bank kids.

From now through Friday, December 16, Red Bank residents can register a young family member to receive a personal “Santa Present Drop” visit at their home the following Friday evening — with Santa Claus arriving through the courtesy of the men and women of the Navesink Hook and Ladder company. A fire truck will convey Santa around town, with lights flashing and siren blaring, as he makes a very special pre-Christmas delivery to each address on his list.

Adult registrants are asked to purchase one gift per child registered, and to drop the gifts off at the firehouse (9 Mechanic Street in downtown Red Bank) on either of two designated dates: Sunday, December 18 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or Wednesday, December 21 (5:30 to 8 p.m.). Scheduled time frame for the December 23 Present Drop is between 5 and 9 p.m., so families are urged to be home during those hours — only one delivery attempt will be made — and to register as early as possible, as time is tight and limited space is available (registrants are asked to “keep the gift to a respectable size”).

Additional donations of new gifts for Red Bank boys and girls are welcomed and greatly appreciated by Navesink Hook and Ladder. To register one or more children, email Mary Ferraro at mary@betterqualified.com by December 16 — then go here or follow Red Bank Navesink Hook and Ladder on Facebook for additional updates on activities around the firehouse.