Santa Claus hands a stack of gifts to Haevin Holman, 5, on Wednesday night at the Pittsfield Township Hall. Pittsfield Township police officers and firefighters put on the event, where six local families in need were given Christmas gifts by Santa.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

Pittsfield Township Hall had an unusual visitor tonight — Santa Claus.

But he wasn’t in his familiar sleigh. He arrived in a Pittsfield Township fire truck decorated with Christmas lights to greet 17 area children and their families.

Along with Santa, officials from the Pittsfield Township police and fire departments gathered at the township hall to bring a little holiday joy to six families in need. Gifts donated by area businesses, including Pittsfield Township’s Giddy Up, were handed out to the children who ranged in age from infant to 14.

Lt. Sean McCormick said area churches and schools referred families who could benefit from the event. He said many of the gifts donated by Giddy Up, 3630 Plaza Drive, were meant to spark creativity, such as building toys, paint sets, toy rockets and coloring books.

McCormick said this year's gift giveaway was the first of its kind at the township. He said the goal was to give families some hope in the holiday season, and to give gifts to children who may not receive any otherwise.