PROVIDING JOY!

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CASSIE’S STORY

Due to the recent back-to-back hurricanes, our Flight To The North Pole programs are running slower than usual, and community events like car shows have been limited. As a result, we’re experiencing a significant loss in revenue during this challenging time. We’re reaching out for your support as we navigate through this unprecedented uncertainty.

The ultimate goal is to create a magical Christmas Wonderland filled with snow, cheerful elves, dazzling decorations, twinkling lights, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus! They’ll be there to greet every child, take photos, and hand out gifts. Families will enjoy a delicious lunch while choirs fill the air with festive songs. Our wonderful volunteers will be on hand to ensure that children and their families can escape from illness or stress and truly savor the joy of the holiday season together. Your pledge can help make this dream come true!

This year we will have over 400 terminally ill children who are able to attend this event and sometimes this may be their last memorable holiday to celebrate with their siblings and parents. The “Flight to the North Pole” tradition continues in that each child that attends [and their siblings] are presented with gifts, lunch, and entertained by volunteers dressed as elves and clowns. The event is held the second week in December, with the Sheriff and his staff volunteering their time, along with Airport Fire Department personnel. The Sheriff’s Office helicopter transports “Santa”, who lands at the airport Fire Station and greets the children and their families, with hugs.

Once Santa arrives, you can hardly contain the excitement of the children and families. Inside the Fire Station, is a Santa’s workshop, where the children can sit with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and tell them of their list and receive their gift bags. Needless to say, this is a memorable event not only for the children, but for their families as well. Volunteers from the business community and citizens from Manatee and Sarasota counties provide dollars for gifts, in-kind donations of food, time, gifts, door prizes, entertainment and other services.

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When You Donate

Your donations, no matter the size, will help us create a magical and unforgettable holiday for these incredible children. For some of them, this may be their last chance to experience such joy. Let’s come together to spread happiness and ensure they have not just a wonderful holiday but also lasting memories throughout the year! Your generosity would mean so much. If you’d like more information on how you can make a difference, please don’t hesitate to give me a call!

All proceeds go directly to Flight to the North Pole, an amazing charity dedicated to providing financial and emotional support for terminally ill children and their families in Sarasota/Manatee Counties. Thank you for your kindness!

Registration number CH33872. FEID Number: 35-2279508 “A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) – www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com

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Every child deserves a joyful, carefree childhood filled with love—especially those facing life-threatening illnesses. With just $9.99 a month, your generous donation can make a world of difference in the life of a terminally ill child. Let’s come together to bring smiles and hope to those children! Click the image above to make your contribution today and help brighten a child’s day! 💖

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OUR MISSION

Provide Joy!

Our mission is to continue “year-round” efforts to provide a measure of joy to a truly underserved population of children who may or may not live to see another Christmas

“Flight to the North Pole”

Is dedicated to an multiple annual events, providing compassion and good-will for local families dealing with a child suffering from life-threatening or special health problems.

OUR STORY

The foundation for this incredible program was established in 1985 by a group of dedicated Eastern Airlines flight attendants and Sidney Ettedgui, and it has been growing ever since! For many years, Sidney, along with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Sarasota/Bradenton Airport Fire Department, have worked tirelessly to create unforgettable experiences for terminally ill children.

This year, we’re excited to welcome over 400 terminally ill kids who will join us for what may be their last memorable holiday celebration with their siblings and parents. The beloved “Flight to the North Pole” tradition continues as each child—and their siblings—receive gifts, enjoy a delicious lunch, and are entertained by our amazing volunteers dressed up as elves and clowns. It’s going to be a truly magical day!

The event takes place during the second week of December, with the Sheriff and his dedicated staff generously volunteering their time alongside personnel from the Airport Fire Department. The excitement kicks off when the Sheriff’s Office helicopter swoops in to deliver “Santa,” who lands at the airport Fire Station to greet children and their families with warm hugs!

When Santa arrives, you can feel the buzz of joy radiating from everyone present. Inside the Fire Station, a magical Santa’s workshop awaits where kids have the chance to sit down with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, share their wish lists, and receive special gift bags. It’s truly an unforgettable experience for both the children and their families!

This heartwarming event wouldn’t be possible without support from our amazing volunteers in the business community and generous citizens of Manatee and Sarasota counties who contribute funds for gifts as well as food donations, entertainment, door prizes, and more. Thank you all for making this day so special!

The result is a dazzling Christmas Wonderland filled with snow, cheerful elves, twinkling lights, and festive decorations! Santa and Mrs. Claus warmly greet each child, taking photos and handing out gifts to spread the holiday cheer.

As everyone enjoys a delicious lunch, choirs fill the air with joyful music while volunteers are on hand to ensure that children and their families can fully immerse themselves in this magical experience—taking a break from illness or disease and celebrating the season without any worries. It’s truly a day of joy and togetherness!