The Royal Canadian Air Force was unable to make use of a Griffin helicopter to convey a particular Christmas visitor to the Kingston General Hospital. Due to climate it needed to deploy a navy SUV as an alternative, One Wing HQ Commanding Officer Joel Maley stated.
But that didn’t dampen the eagerness of the kids and workers awaiting Santa’s arrival. And it didn’t cease Santa from bringing his normal vacation cheer at a time when it’s wanted most.
“It was perfect timing for Santa to come and spread that cheer,” stated Erika Kooi, program supervisor of pediatrics at KGH. “We have a lot of kids in unit right now, so it was really great timing that way… [Santa] brings bears to the children. They spend a little time with each kid, kind of hanging out, hearing their wishes and spreading the cheer,”
Operation Ho-Ho-Ho, now in its fifth yr, is an annual collaboration between One Wing HQ and KGH. The base says it’s one thing members sit up for yearly.
“For us, it’s really encouraging when we come to (the hospital) and we see these pediatric patients and we see the resiliency of these kids, despite the difficulty they may find themselves in,” Maley stated.
The hospital says it has a bunch of actions deliberate to make the day a particular one for the kids.
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