(l-r): Paul Larcher, Senior Director of Marketing, Thomas Cook Canada; Cheryl Isaacs, Regional Accounts Representative, Thomas Cook Canada; Kerry Sharpe, Communications Specialist, Thomas Cook Canada; Tamara Birko, Marketing Administrator & Executive Assistant, Thomas Cook Canada; Krista Lee Armstrong, Director of Human Resources, Thomas Cook North America; Lucia Bitondo, Airport Representative, Sunquest;
Chuck Baltrunas, Manager, Web Content, Thomas Cook Canada; Marilisa DeSimone, Manager, Cruise Product Administration, Encore CruiseEscapes, Intair & Fun Sun Vacations
Adamo Ruggerio and Paula Brancati from Degrassi and Patty Sullivan from CBC kids firing the kids up in the terminal.
Rick Campanelli, Santa, Starlight Singer, Doo Doo the Clown. Singing Jingle Bells on the Plane
The Skyservice private terminal at Pearson Airport was buzzing with anticipation on December 15th as kids from the Starlight Children’s Foundation prepared to board a special Skyservice flight for a visit with ol’ St. Nick. The departure lounge was converted to a kids’ theatre space with local celebrities and magicians whipping the participants into a frenzy of anticipation. The decibel level in the terminal reached deafening heights as the entertainers stoked the kids’ enthusiasm for their flight to meet Santa.Â
Finally it was time to board the plane and head north to rendezvous with Santa and his reindeer. For this special trip, Skyservice had fitted their 757 with newly designed rocket boosters to help us reach the North Pole in record time.Â
Once airborne, the kids’ singing and chanting grew more and more intense as our Captain announced Santa’s radar signature was approaching our aircraft. It wasn’t long before we felt the plane dip as if something had landed on the jet’s roof. And then, as if by magic, Santa entered the plane and began to greet the starstruck kids with his signature “ho ho hos†and “Merry Christmas everyone.â€
It was a special experience to witness these kids, who face such enormous adversities every day, get completely lost in the moment of meeting Santa. It’s one day where the kids are able to leave behind their illness and become totally absorbed in a unique experience.Â
This special day was made possible with the help of the generous people at Sunquest, Thomas Cook Canada and Skyservice.  Â
