A significant anniversary was celebrated over the weekend for an initiative to bring Christmas joy to the children of coastal Labrador.

Because such communities are often isolated, they don’t often have as many opportunities to see Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick as in urban centres.

For 30 years, the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Rotary Club and Air Borealis have been flying Santa to such communities.

Phillip Earle, President of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Rotary Club and Vice President of Air Borealis, says even with COVID restrictions it was important for them to find a way to continue the tradition and help Santa make his visit.

They wanted to push through this year, so that next year it could continue without ever being cancelled because of COVID-19.

Earle says the tradition won’t be ending anytime soon. He says the tradition will go “to infinity and beyond.”

Earlier Story
Christmas is just five days away, and yesterday Santa took a break from his busy schedule to visit children in communities in coastal Labrador.

For over 30 years, Santa has been flying to visit children in coastal communities where there aren’t the typical venues to see the man in red – such as at shopping malls.

Phillip Earle, president of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Rotary Club, and vice president of Air Borealis says they took over bringing Santa to the communities 30 years ago from the military.

Earle says he has been on many trips with Santa to the area.