KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
KODIAK, Alaska – Santa and his elves were ready to take off for Karluk and Larsen Bay Thursday morning from Air Station Kodiak before their “sleigh,” an MH-60 Jayhawk, was grounded due to mechanical problems. The Santa to the Villages outreach by the Spouse’s Association of Kodiak and Air Station Kodiak is in its 37th year of delivering Christmas spirit to the remote villages on Kodiak Island. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Charly Hengen
Today’s Santa to the Villages flights to were canceled at the last minute after one of the Coast Guard’s MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters developed a mechanical problem and had to be taken offline for repairs.
The decision to ground Santa and his elves came at the last minute even as the volunteers were donning their flight suits for a morning takeoff to deliver donated gifts and books to school children in the villages of Karluk and Larsen Bay.
Tracy Wise is one of the volunteers. She says they’ll reschedule as soon as possible.
Earlier this week volunteers in costume flew to Ouzinkie, Danger Bay and Port Lions visiting school children. There’s a flight planned tomorrow in Chiniak. It’s not yet clear whether that flight will also have to be rescheduled.
