Santa and D-M team up to spread holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Saphfire D. Cook
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz., --  The teachers are in place, their watchful eyes constantly scanning the students. Parents stand beside their children, cameras in hand.

The kids are all gathered out front, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa and his bag of goodies.

Finally the time has come for jolly old Saint Nick to appear, but it's not sleigh bells that are heard.

"Whump, whump, whump!" go the blades of the helicopter as it circles overhead. The children crane their necks and squint into the sun. Flash after flash pops as cameras shots are fired, one after one.

Slowly, the helicopter touches down, inciting a billowing whirlwind of dust, dirt, and debris. Onlookers strain to see past the haze, silently searching for Mr. Claus.

Suddenly a single spot of red appears in the tan landscape.

"Santa! It's Santa Claus!" the children cry. But it's not just Santa. Mrs. Claus and a helpful elf have come along for the ride.

It's that time of year again, and Santas in Blue has returned to the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation and the students at the San Xavier Mission School. Santa has quality-control checked his naughty-and-nice list, he has his big, red mobility bag in tow, and Operation Good Cheer is underway.

"The kids really enjoy being out here," said Tech. Sgt. Melissa K. Moller, 12th Air Force unit security manager and a former Mrs. Clause for the Santas in Blue program.

"Sometimes these are the only gifts they get, so they're very appreciative."

Since the program began in 1965, Airmen from D-M have been sponsoring children from the school, which hosts a head start class as well as kindergarten through eighth grade, every year at Christmas time.

"The school puts together a list of names, which includes each child's first and second gift choice," said Technical Sgt. Christopher E. Naylor, who was in charge of coordinating Santas in Blue for 2010. "They get it to us, and then we give a list to each squadron's point of contact."

Once the lists reach the squadrons, Airmen pick a child to sponsor and purchase the gifts.

"I am new to D-M so I had never heard about this program before," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer O. Fore, who volunteered to be Mrs. Claus for this year's event. "The Air Force personnel who run this program really do an amazing job at giving those less fortunate children a very Merry Christmas."

After the presents are distributed, the school puts together an afternoon of fun and entertainment for the D-M volunteers.

"The students at San Xavier Mission School and the San Xavier Head-Start look forward to the Santas in Blue event every year," said Ms. Shirley R. Kalinowski, the school's principal. "We rarely have any absences and many parents volunteer to make a traditional Native American lunch for the Airmen. The students work hard in the weeks prior to the visit to make sure the Christmas program is enjoyable for everyone. This year we were able to include our Native American Flute group in the program. It was a wonderful day enjoyed by everyone."