Santa, Mrs. Claus, Alaska Guard deliver holiday spirit

Mrs. Claus kneels down in front of a four-year-old Allakaket resident. The village of 185 residents welcomed the volunteers into their school for the day to celebrate Christmas. (Alaska National Guard photo/1st. Lt. Bernie Kale)

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$Johnson Moses, 87, poses for a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the celebration. Moses is one of the village elders in Allakaket who welcomed the volunteers into his village. (Alaska National Guard photo\Lt. Bernie Kale),$

Santa, Mrs. Claus, Alaska Guard deliver holiday spirit

Johnson Moses, 87, poses for a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the celebration. Moses is one of the village elders in Allakaket who welcomed the volunteers into his village. (Alaska National Guard photo\Lt. Bernie Kale),

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$The Allakaket youth performing a native dance for the guests and volunteers before the festivities. The village of around 185 residents welcomed the volunteers into their school for the day to celebrate Christmas.. (Alaska National Guard photo\Lt. Bernie Kale),$

Santa, Mrs. Claus, Alaska Guard deliver holiday spirit

The Allakaket youth performing a native dance for the guests and volunteers before the festivities. The village of around 185 residents welcomed the volunteers into their school for the day to celebrate Christmas.. (Alaska National Guard photo\Lt. Bernie Kale),

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$Two young boys open the presents that Santa brought with him. The presents also included books, backpacks, and toothbrushes to accommodate everyday needs. (Alaska National Guard photo\Lt. Bernie Kale),$

Santa, Mrs. Claus, Alaska Guard deliver holiday spirit

Two young boys open the presents that Santa brought with him. The presents also included books, backpacks, and toothbrushes to accommodate everyday needs. (Alaska National Guard photo\Lt. Bernie Kale),

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$Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for photographs with residents of all ages to preserve the memories made. The village of around 185 residents welcomed the volunteers into their school for the day to celebrate Christmas. (Alaska National Guard photo\Lt. Bernie Kale),$

Santa, Mrs. Claus, Alaska Guard deliver holiday spirit

Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for photographs with residents of all ages to preserve the memories made. The village of around 185 residents welcomed the volunteers into their school for the day to celebrate Christmas. (Alaska National Guard photo\Lt. Bernie Kale),

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Santa, Mrs. Claus, Alaska Guard deliver holiday spirit

Published Nov. 29, 2011
By Air Force 1st Lt. Bernie Kale
Alaska National Guard

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- CAMP DENALI, Alaska- Flying in an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 "Hercules" instead of a sleigh and reindeer, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Santa's little helpers arrived in Allakaket Nov. 19 as part of Operation Santa Claus.

The Alaska National Guard and volunteer members from organizations such as the Salvation Army, Tastee Freez and Costco teamed together and kicked off this year's 55th annual Operation Santa Claus, a yearly community relations and support program that provides toys, clothing, books, school supplies, fresh fruit and sundaes to children in communities across the state each year.

"It's so great to have the entire community be present and taken care of," said Marilyn Marshall, an Allakaket school teacher. "We have had a rough start to the school year, so to have folks come in and bring presents, food, and hospitality is something truly amazing.

The event took place inside Allakaket's school where the Alaska Guard members and volunteers set up tables for warm food, books and ice cream sundaes. Each child received a wrapped Christmas present from Santa and a goody bag filled with fresh fruit, little toys and cupcakes.

"It's such a wonderful thing, because I don't think there's a whole lot of villages who have had Santa Claus come to visit them," said Sherry Valentine, Operation Santa Claus volunteer. "It's a very gratifying thing to see the kids and see how excited they are, and the entire community is just happy to be a part of this."

This year Operation Santa Claus will also visit Wales Dec. 3 on an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 providing Santa, Mrs. Claus and a team of elves an opportunity to spread more holiday spirit.