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| News Release |
Date: Nov. 28, 2008 |
Coast Guard Flies Santa to Remote Villages |
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| KODIAK, Alaska - Coast Guard personnel in Kodiak have 16 volunteers who will dress up as Santa and elves to help present wrapped gifts, hand-made clothing and fruit to students and children at native villages across Kodiak Island Monday through Friday.
Santa and the elves will be flown to the villages by Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews from Air Station Kodiak as part of the annual Santa to the Villages program. The volunteers to fill Santa's big shoes include retired Coast Guard Cmdr. Scott Williams, Douglas Beaver and Cmdr. Patrick Dugan, facilities branch chief at Integrated Support Command Kodiak. Santa to the Villages is sponsored by the Coast Guard Spouses Association of Kodiak as a way to allow the children of remote villages around Kodiak Island to experience the joy of meeting Santa and receive a gift from him. "This is the 35th year the Coast Guard wives here in Kodiak have been bringing Christmas in a very special way to the children living in the remote villages throughout the Kodiak archipelago," Teresa Williams said, the co-chair for the Spouses Association of Kodiak. "Over 200 children are now eagerly searching the Alaska skies and waters for Santa's arrival in his Coast Guard helicopter or Coast Guard cutter for this holiday season. The Coast Guard has been transporting Santa by boat and helicopter to the remote villages of Kodiak Island for more than thirty years. For more information about the Santa to the Villages program contact the Coast Guard public affairs at 907-487-5700. |
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