Friends of Flying Santa, a nonprofit organization, is carrying on an 87-year-old tradition that brings holiday joy to U.S. Coast Guard families in the Northeast. The yearly helicopter visits and gifts for the children are small tokens of appreciation for the outstanding work of the Coast Guard and their supportive families. The flights were started by Bill Wincapaw in 1929 as a way of thanking lighthouse keepers and their families. You can read all about this heartwarming tradition at www.flyingsanta.org.
Although Friends of Flying Santa receives vital support from companies and pilots each year, the toys and other expenses are paid for through many small donations. This year there are plans to add an additional 150-200 Coast Guard children to our Flying Santa route. To help with these new expenses, a month-long auction is being held on Biddingowl.com. The auction began on April 1 and will continue until noon on May 1.
Some of the items included are:
- Overnight stays at Race Point, Borden Flats (right), and Little River lighthouses.
- Signed copies of lighthouse-related books.
- Antique lighthouse postcards.
- Private tours of lighthouses.
- Cruises to view lighthouses.
- Scenic flights.
- Collectibles, clothing, and more.
