Instead of Donner, Blitzen, Comet, Cupid and Santa’s many other reindeer, he had the help of the NYPD and FDNY to deliver some special gifts Wednesday night.

St. Nick was out early this holiday season, making a delivery to the children of Ronald McDonald House on 73rd Street in Manhattan.

“It was awesome,” said Ronald McDonald House resident Zea Lane.

Zea is an eight-year-old pediatric cancer survivor who has been in-and-out of Ronald McDonald House for just about as long as she’s been alive.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Santa,” Zea said.

For many kids, this may be the only time they get to see Mr. Claus.

Ronald McDonald House provides support like transportation to appointments and housing for families like Zea’s while their child goes through treatment.

For decades, Engine 44 and the 19th Police Precinct have joined forces to put on the festivities, but Covid meant Santa couldn’t go inside the building.

“Let’s bring a firetruck, put Santa in the tower ladder basket and bring him up to the windows to wave at the kids,” said FDNY Lt. and co-organizer Bobby Jones.

It’s a new tradition of lifting Santa in the air so children unable to go outside could see him as well.

Jones said while the FDNY does some of the heavy lifting, Santa’s elves in the NYPD, like Officer PJ Conley, deliver presents for each kid.

“New York’s bravest and New York’s finest teaming up with Santa. Can’t beat it,” Officer Conley said.

“It’s amazing. It’s magic. It really is, and the fact that the entire city really cares to see the kids really enjoy this moment, it really means a lot to us,” said Zea’s mom, Heather Lane.

There was no Rudolph this year, but the red lights of Ladder 13 guide Santa’s way, making sure every kid has a happy holiday.