#Bridgeport CT–When the franchisee of former Dunkin’ Donuts manager Vanessa Padilla learned that she and her three children were homeless, without any possessions including the family car, and had lost every single Christmas gift in a fire that decimated her Bridgeport condo on New Year’s Eve, they sprung to action. D’Andrea Group Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees Francesco and Frank D’Andrea of Guilford and Nicole Ball of Branford, decided to make Christmas come again with a surprise visit from Santa for Padilla and her sons, Tony Dejesus, 6, Kevin Moales, 12 and Khary Glover, 16.

In addition to replacing electronics and toys for the boys, which included two gaming systems and a MacBook Pro, Santa also returned the 6-year-old’s Elf on a Shelf, Spike, who was “rescued” by the Bridgeport Fire Department after the blaze. Spike was made an official fire chief by Santa and came dressed in full gear.

On Sunday, Jan. 3, at the Holiday Inn in downtown Bridgeport where the Redcross had placed the Padilla family in temporary housing, Santa delivered all the best gifts and Christmas memories for the Padilla Family:

The eldest Khary Glover received a MacBook Pro
Kevin Moales received basketball gear and a Sony PS4 game system.
To keep the Christmas spirit alive for the youngest, Tony Dejesus, Santa delivered a bike, some WWE wrestlers, a wrestling ring and an XboxOne.

The Padilla family, sisters Aiesha Padilla, general manager, Nakisha Padilla, manager and Vanessa Padilla, former manager, have worked for D’Andrea Group Dunkin’ Donuts franchises since high school-age. Vanessa’s son, Khary, 16, has just started his first job at the D’Andrea Group’s Dunkin’ Donuts in Milford on Clarke Street in June.

D’Andrea Group, based in Guilford, is the franchisee of 13 Dunkin’ Donuts in Clinton, Killingworth, Guilford, West Haven, Orange and Milford.