When Liz Twiggs learned last year that one her Fair Lawn Food Pantry clients couldn't afford a Christmas tree, she sprung into action and -- with the help of Fair Lawn police detective and Van Riper Ellis Broadway Baptist Church pastor David Boone -- launched, "Operation Santa Boone."

Twiggs, Boone and a couple kindly elves delivered a pre-lit tree and cartloads of other gifts for her client and client's family during a surprise night time run that was aided by members of the Fair Lawn Rescue Squad.

This year, the Operation Santa Boone crew was back at it, providing a food pantry client/volunteer and her family with gifts for the holiday.

Twiggs' plan this time around pulled in Boone, food pantry volunteer Beri Raffiani, three elves -- Fair Lawn High School freshmen Sarah Gruber, Bridget Maresca and Mitchell Finkel -- police officer Michael O'Brien and members of the Fair Lawn Rescue Squad.

Special thanks to Sage Restaurant, which allowed Santa and his "sleigh" to interrupt a Friday night of dining to carry out the surprise.

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