December 15, 2008

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

….at the Lehigh Valley International Airport this year…especially for children from the Dream Come True® Foundation of the Lehigh Valley as they board the North Pole Express.

The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA), in conjunction with Allegiant Air, Inc., arranged to take 75 children from Dream Come True® who are seriously, chronically or terminally ill to the North Pole this year for personal visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The flight took place on Sunday, December 14, 2008.  Allegiant Air adopted the concept and provided an MD-80 airplane, captain, first officer and flight crew.  The Airport Authority donated the fuel, ground crew and ticket counter agents.

On Sunday, December 14, 2008, at approximately 10:00am the flight to the “North Pole” officially departed from the Lehigh Valley International Airport.  The Dream children, elves, reporters and broadcasters took the long trip to the North Pole.

After the children checked in at the ticket counter they were guided to different stations that represent each of Santa’s reindeer.  They received gifts of antlers, jingle bells and more from each station.  The children and their families were entertained at the gate by the Liberty High School bagpipers.  Then they boarded the MD-80 bound for the North Pole.  In flight, they were treated to cookies and milk, a reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, and sung Christmas carols.  Once on ground, they were greeted by a cast of characters such as “Tip the Crayon”, the Just Born “Peep”, elves, fairy princess’ to name a few.  Santa and Mrs. Claus also greeted the children on the top of a LNAA fire engine as they departed the plane.  The children were fed a hearty meal at the “North Pole”.  There, each child had a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and whisper a wish in his ear, had their photo taken, and received a goody bag filled with gifts and surprises.  Santa, Mrs. Claus and his fairy princess then revealed the clue as to how the children would return to the Lehigh Valley!!!

The project has been a labor of love for the Dream Come True® Foundation and all aspects of airport operations who could not have done the job without the assistance of the following businesses: Allegiant Air, Inc., Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, Capital Blue Cross, East Stroudsburg University, Binney & Smith, Just Born, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Lehigh Valley Magazine, Lehigh Valley Mall, Homewood Suites, The Crossings Premium Outlets, Allentown FOP, AAA East Penn, Staybridge Suites and Hilton Garden Inn, Liberty High School bagpipers, Douglas Benedict Photography, DJ Seibert, Meritage Catering, Action Party Rentals, Rileighs Outdoor Décor, New World Aviation, Continental Express, Coca-Cola, Nestle Waters, Subway, Lehigh Valley Dairy, Bonnie’s Flower Boutique and various individual donations.