Flying Santa facts for kids
The Flying Santa is a special tradition that started way back in Christmas of 1929. It's all about dropping gifts from a plane to families who lived in lighthouses along the coast of New England. Imagine getting your Christmas presents delivered by a plane!
Contents
The Flying Santa Tradition
How it Started
The idea for the Flying Santa came from William H. Wincapaw. He was a pilot from Friendship, Maine, who flew planes that could land on water. William was famous for flying people and supplies along the Maine coast. He often flew even when the weather was bad to help sick or injured people on islands. His brave flights saved many lives.
When William flew, he often used the bright lights of lighthouses to guide his way. He really admired the lighthouse keepers and their families. They lived in isolated places and worked hard to keep the lights shining. William wanted to show them how much their efforts were appreciated.
So, on December 25, 1929, William loaded his plane with gifts. These weren't fancy presents, but things like newspapers, magazines, coffee, and candy. These small items were a big treat for families living far away from towns. He flew to lighthouses near the Rockland area and dropped these gifts for the families below.
The lighthouse families loved the gifts so much! Because of this, William decided to make it a bigger program. He expanded his flights to cover more lighthouses and Coast Guard stations all over New England. People at the stations he visited started calling him "Santa Claus." Soon, his son, Bill Jr., and a famous author named Edward Rowe Snow joined him on these special flights. Edward Rowe Snow helped with the program for over 40 years!
The Tradition Continues
The Flying Santa flights have continued almost every year since 1929. They only stopped once during World War II. Today, instead of planes, helicopters are used to deliver the gifts.
Who is the Flying Santa Today?
Retired USCG Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Guthlein and retired Senior Chief David Considine are two of the people who dress up as the Flying Santa today. In 1997, a non-profit group called "Friends of Flying Santa" was created. Their main goal is to keep this wonderful tradition going. They want to continue showing thanks to the Coast Guard for all their important work.
See also
- Christmas events and celebrations (category)
- Christmas traditions (category)
- United States Lighthouse Service
- United States Lighthouse Board
- Lighthouses in the United States
