Santa and Mrs. Claus enjoyed another visit with local children and their families at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Fire Station this past Thursday. The day provide a much needed time out from the daily stress of terminal illness while enjoying the spirit and hope of the holidays. The law and fire protection personnel had again done their magic of gift shopping and tree trimming so Santa can give perfect gifts selected specially for each child. The Flowers Baking Company of Bradenton raised over $14,000 this year to benefit the children and gave out delicious pastries. Monster Truck Drivers Frank Krmel and Carl Van Horn greeted the children with Feld Entertainment’s Scooby-Doo Monster Truck on display. Other VIP’s at this grand circus-like party were Tampa Bay Ray’s Baseball Raymond, Ronald McDonald, Chik-Fil-A cows and festive clowns.
Snow was part of the lead story for this 30th annual party covered by SNN News. Yes, there was actual snow in Florida. This year, AquaNew, along with Lee’s Ice, donated snow! Over two tons of ice cubes were chipped and piled in the center of the action by Andrew Johnson and Roy Surber of Lee’s. Florida children had neither hesitations nor qualms in picking it up and tossing snow towards their siblings, parents and friends … all in good-hearted, gleeful play. We all agreed that more snow is needed so that the kids can make snowmen next year.
The magic of the Flight to the North Pole is a lesson that should resound throughout the year … we should welcome and accept all children. The Bradenton Herald published a great article on the parents’ perspective, where one parent commented, “This is one of the few places that they get to come and there’s no judgment,” said Zena Langdon, a mother of four children and a foster child who have been coming for three years. “They’re not seen for their disabilities. They’re special here, and not because of their disabilities, but because they’re little kids.”
Happy Holidays to All … and watch out for that stray Florida snowball!
For more photos from the day, visit our Facebook page! Read about last year’s Flight to the North Pole event.