The Santa Flights 2017

 

GEORGE AIRPORT - Once again we brought ALL the George Service Clubs together to carry out this unique Christmas project to benefit the youth of George. – all the planning, meetings and coordinating was made worthwhile, after seeing the delighted faces and hearing comments such as this one from a child just coming off his flight; “This is the most amazing day of my whole life!” Santa and his band of merry helpers from five service clubs, including Rotary and interactors toiled away in the midday sun at the George airport on Saturday 2nd December, organising the Santa Flights, catering and entertainment for 68 excited youngsters.

 

 

 

 The nervous laughter in anticipation of their first flight in a small four-seater light plane soon changed into delight when they touched down after a 15 minute flight over George.

 It would be impractical and very expensive to hire a large jet to come to George and offer this ‘experience of a lifetime’ for these children, and so that is why the Clubs are thankful to the Flight Training College at the George Airport who supplied the three light aircraft that have made the dream a reality. The Service clubs had to raise the funds for the R3 500 fuel bill, and volunteer their time and effort in entertaining and catering, but the reward is in seeing the smiles on the faces once the kids are back on dry land. "The service Club members all agree that we want to create lifelong memories so that children who experience this party are able to carry the joy and uniqueness of the experience with them for the rest of their lives,”

 This year the children who benefited are from the ACVV Môreson Kinderhuis in Denneoord, Ruiterbos Primary in Mossel Bay, Herbertsdale Primary between Mossel Bay and Riversdale, the Seven Passes Initiative, Young Ambassadors Primary School and George South Primary. The service Clubs involved in the project are the Eden Lions Club, George Round Table, George Rotary Club, Vryburgers and the Outeniqua Moth Shell Hole. The staff and students from the Flight Training College and Eden 911, as well as metering and utility management Solutions Company, Power Measurement and Distribution, were lauded for their support, expertise and patience on the day. Starlight Aviation from Mossel Bay brought Santa Claus to the George Airport in a helicopter, much to the delight of young and old.

From the Service Clubs, the Flight Training School and Pilots, to each person who had a part to play in making this amazing project happen – The Rotary Club of George is extremely proud to be part of this exciting initiative, giving the youth from previously disadvantaged backgrounds the chance of a lifetime  and giving back to those less fortunate the opportunity to enjoy a really fun day.

 And so the Service Clubs have committed and are aiming even higher as they already start planning for The Santa Flight 2018!