Santa traded in his sleigh for a fire truck yesterday in Mount Vernon courtesy of the city's fire department.

Old St. Nick had plenty of gifts in his sack and brought smiles to the faces of children at the West Help homeless shelter. Mount Vernon firefighters usually throw a holiday party for their own kids, but this year they decided to bring some joy to families less fortunate than theirs.

West Help is part of the homeless agency founded by Gov. Andrew Cuomo more than 20 years ago. The organization helps those who?ve lost their homes make the transition into another place of their own.