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Annual Santa Flight brings joy to northern communities

Dec 8, 2018 | 3:15 PM

Communities in northern Saskatchewan got an early visit from a jolly old friend Friday.

The main man in red and white wandered his merry way to schools in Fond Du Lac, Black Lake and Stony Rapids as part of Transwest Airs annual Santa Claus flight.

The trip sees Santa flown to the three communities in the North, where kids get the chance to have their picture taken and also get a gift.

Patty Hughes, business development officer for Transwest Air, is in charge of putting on the tour. Hughes told paNOW the annual flight is one the company looks forward to and enjoys doing.

“This is just one event that no matter what, (we) always constantly support, and coming in and helping the kids, (because) as you can tell they really look forward to it, they love seeing Santa, love getting a gift,” she said.

Besides Santa and Hughes, there were five volunteers working to help pull off the effort. The flight also gets support from other partners that help purchase the gifts.

Hughes said they visit these three communities because it’s their regular destination routes and a way to thank the communities.

“They really support us,” she said.

The special trip has been a festive season staple for the last 18 years.

“As soon as I phone and say, hey this is the weekend we’ve decided to come and bring Santa up, they’re right on in with it and they’re totally supporting it, they know what it means to the children,” she said.

The gifts given to children ranged from Play Doh to footballs and Hughes said they try to keep certain things in mind when deciding what presents to bring.

“We like to have them (gifts) focused around education, health and fitness,” she said.

The principal of Father Gamache Memorial School in Fond Du Lac Alex Paul Mercredi was thankful for all the effort.

“I’d like to thank Transwest Air for being a part of this and flying north to North Pole and picking up Santa Claus and delivering him to our school,” he said.

The principal said the visit is appreciated by both the students and staff. He added that the visit is especially nice given the events which happened in the community last year around this time with the plane crash.

“This is a momentous occasion that really instills joyful experience by our students and with our student body, it means well to see Santa again here in Fond Du Lac,” he said.

During the trip hundreds of kids sat down on Santa’s lap for a picture and to receive a gift. Even some of the adults got in on the fun.

In Stony Rapids ,which was the final stop on the day long tour, the kids were singing as Santa made his way into the gym. Diayden Petite, a grade four student at Stony Rapids Community School knew what he wanted from Santa for Christmas.

“A Nintendo game,” he said.

Tia Whitedeer, a grade eight student at the school said it was wonderful to have Santa come visit. She also had a wish list for this Christmas season.

“Pickles and gift cards,” she said.

The Principal of Stony Rapids Community School, Joyce Torrie said they really appreciate the visit and how the airline gives back to the community by doing it. She added the event brings together the entire school while lifting spirits.

“Even the parents, and to see all the parents come here today, just the excitement and bringing the Christmas spirit to our school, thank you,” she said.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn