Students at area schools experience their own Flight to the North Pole for first time

Sixty-two students at McKay Academy in Bradenton got a surprise visit from a familiar bearded face on Friday.

Santa Claus came to the school for those between 6 and 22 years old with special needs bearing Christmas gifts.

After getting off the bus, students poured into the room where Santa was waiting. They eagerly jumped in line to receive their gifts, get their faces painted and to pet the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office service dog.

Rachel Arguijo had her cellphone out during the event, snapping photos of students gathering around their bags overflowing with gifts. Arguijo is the assistant to the school’s director and also has a 17-year-old daughter, Evelyn, who has attended the academy for four years.

“It’s amazing. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for these kids. It brings them a lot of joy,” Arguijo said. “They’ll be talking about this the rest of the year.”

After receiving her bag, Evelyn excitedly pointed out two large bags of Kit-Kat bars, her favorite candy, and a pair of new jeans.

Evelyn said Santa’s visit Friday was a surprise.

The event was part of a continuation of the Flight to the North Pole, which was held Dec. 7 at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Fire Department.

This year, the non-profit organization was able to raise enough funds to expand beyond the more than 153 children who attended the 32nd annual event, making it the biggest year for the program.

Over two days, the Flight to the North Pole has made Christmas a little extra special for an additional 120 children, nearly doubling the total number of children they provide gifts for in years past.

Santa, his elves and representatives of the sheriff’s office went to G.D. Rogers-Bullock Garden Elementary School on Thursday and McKay Academy on Friday to deliver the surprises.

Organizer Sidney Ettedgui, with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, said it’s the first year they have included the schools and will continue to do so in years to come.

“A lot of our kids don’t expect much for Christmas,” said Sister Gilchrist Cottrill, director of McKay Academy. “It’s one of the biggest things that’s happened to us that someone would notice us all the way out here and care about this group.”

Staff of the school, which recently relocated from Myakka City to 30th Avenue West, looked on and took pictures as children stood with Santa and opened their bags of gifts from their individual wish lists.

Everything from toys, key chains, stuffed animals, head phones and even a signed photo of Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells were gleefully pulled from gift bags.

“It’s really important because we’re giving them hope, opportunity and because of this, trying to give them some happiness,” said Yamuel Perez, executive assistant at the school. “It’s only one day but it’s important for them. They won’t forget it.”

The Flight to the North Pole event was started by Eastern Airlines flight attendants in 1985. Today, the tradition continues with help from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Fire Department and other local businesses and agencies.

And, in efforts to fund raise year-round, the second annual Exotic Car Show fundraiser will be held Feb. 17 on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Students at area schools experience their own Flight to the North Pole for first time."