“You only have to see the looks on the kids’ faces to understand why we do what we do,” Director at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Sidney Ettedgui told us. Last week, AquaNew and Team REDS Racing had the privilege of participating in the 28th Annual Flight to the North Pole with Ettedgui and his volunteers, held each year at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. This year, there were more than 500 people in attendance. The photo on the left shows AquaNew’s Rob Gourley (left) and Ettedgui (right) on the viewing platform constructed by volunteers for the children to see the race boat.
Flight to the North Pole began nearly three decades ago, when flight attendants from Eastern Airlines wanted to do something special during Christmas for terminally ill children. They did so by throwing a holiday party for these families, flying Santa in for a visit, and sending kids home with a bag full of treats. Today, Sidney Ettedgui, along with the help of more than 200 volunteers, as well as donations of cash, gifts and food from local residents and businesses, have “taken it to the next level.” Parents and family members give hints as to what gifts kids would like Santa to bring, and for one magical day, their wishes come true.
What’s unique about this very special event is that no one really wants to take credit for it. “We keep it an invitation-only event so that it never becomes about publicity,” Sidney said. “It’s not sponsored by the sheriff’s office, not the fire station, not the airport – It’s simply Flight to the North Pole, and it’s for the children.”