Media invitied: Santa to deliver gifts to Coast Guard children

BOSTON — Media are invited to Coast Guard Station Chatham, Saturday, where children of U.S. Coast Guard members will receive presents from Santa.

Santa, a member of Friends of Flying Santa, will land a helicopter at the station and deliver a present to each child.

Friends of Flying Santa, operated by volunteers and relying on the contributions of individuals and sponsors, works throughout the year to prepare for flights delivering more than 600 gifts to the children of Coast Guard families.

This annual holiday tradition was started in 1929 by Capt. William Wincapaw, a float plane pilot based in Rockland, Maine. He was a renowned aviator who flew seaplanes up and down the New England coast, providing delivery services to the isolated island residents. In those early days of aviation, he often found himself relying on the beacons of lighthouses to assist him in his navigation. Capt. Wincapaw had great admiration for these dedicated lifesavers and began his aerial Santa flights as a gesture of appreciation to help brighten their lonely holidays. The aerial Christmas Day delivery of small packages of books, magazines, candy and toys were warmly received by these isolated residents. Capt. Wincapaw, with the help of his son, Bill, Jr., made this an annual event and expanded the flights to cover all of New England.

WHERE: Coast Guard Station Chatham

37 Main Street, Chatham, Mass.

WHEN: 8 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2011.

WHO: Friends of Flying Santa and Coast Guard families

WHY: To celebrate the holiday season

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.