SAUGUS (CBS) – Santa Claus will be making his way to Saugus this year, after all.

When the town announced Santa would not be visiting any area elementary schools this year due to the fire department being short-staffed, several volunteers stepped forward to help.

“It came down to having enough volunteers to do it,” firefighter Bill Cross III told WBZ. “Now, we have more than enough to do it. We have a 40-person department and when they realized the need, they stepped up to help out the children of Saugus.”

Cross said their department received calls from retired firefighters who were willing to volunteer.

Last year, the school’s superintendent cancelled the appearance for religious reasons, sparking national attention.

This year’s appearances are set for Dec. 17, 19 and 20.