A group of over 60 children took to the skies in a landmark project which brought together eight different service clubs - the first of its kind in South Africa, and perhaps even in the world.
The Santa Flight co-ordinating committee started negotiating with role players in June this year, in order to establish a Christmas party unlike anything done before. "We wanted to create lifelong memories so that children who experienced this party, would be able to carry the joy and uniqueness of the experience for the rest of their lives," says George Service Clubs PRO Carl van Blerk.
The people of George have experienced the kindness and generosity of a number of service clubs for many years, each working to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, comfort the sick and lend a helping hand when the need arises.
According to Van Blerk, many of the members of these clubs have been working hard over the past two years to bring the clubs together and to offer services to the needy on a united front. The clubs will not lose their individual identity, as each will continue with their signature projects, but will also come together on a regular basis to bring strength in numbers to identified projects.
The Santa Flight was the first big project to be done by the Eden Lions Club, the George Lions Club, George Round Table, George Rotary Club, Vryburgers, the MOTHS, the Garden Route Ladies Circle and even the Holy Cross LEO Club. The careful planning under the project lea-dership of Lion Rick Clutton, together with the good camaraderie and shared passion, was a key factor in making the project a huge success and one to be repeated on an even bigger scale in 2012.
The 10th of December began like any other day, except with an unusual amount of excitement in the air around the George
Airport - security and safety briefings were of the utmost importance as all volunteers and crew began their briefing at midday.
Four light aircraft, sponsored for the day by pilot and Rotarian Philip Gibbs, pilot Carl Basson as well as the George Flight Training College were fuelled, ready and waiting. Huge thanks need to go out to the staff and students from the Flight Training College for their support and expertise on the day, as well as to the Airports Company of South Africa, under George Airport manager Brenda Moses, who waived all airport fees.
All that was needed now were the children - at 14:00 the invited passengers started arriving ... 63 children in total were about to have an experience of a lifetime!
Each child was treated to a 15-minute flight around the skies over George. Pilot Philip Gibbs recalls hearing one child making saying: "This is the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life!"
The day didn't end after the flights - all the guests were treated to party refreshments and enjoyed the arrival of Santa himself together with a host of elves who handed out gifts personally addressed to each child.
"The bonds which were forged amongst the Service Clubs in this project will be felt for many years to come by the people of George as they benefit from this united force against poverty," says Van Blerk. "We would encourage more people to make enquiries as to how they too can become a part of the work being done by the Service Clubs by simply making contact with the club of their choice, not only in George, but right across South Africa."
For more information on the Service Clubs or if you would like to be a part of The Santa Flight 2012, please contact Lion Carl van Blerk on 082 826 0731 or email pro@edenlions.org.za.
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Each of these children was treated to a 15-minute flight around the skies over George.
