Alaska National Guard kicks off Operation Santa Claus in village of Circle
Inside the Gates
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Alaska National Guard recently made its first stop on its Operation Santa Claus mission in the village of Circle along the Yukon River.
In partnership with the Salvation Army, Operation Santa Claus has delivered holiday magic to rural Alaskan villages since 1956.
Circle was selected as a stop on this year’s tour after the community experienced a severe flood in May 2023.
Salvation Army Fairbanks Corps Captain Jon Tollerud says volunteers spent countless hours preparing for the big day.
“We spend time packing and preparing toys for each individual child.” He says, “Then we load up with whatever National Guard members that want to join Santa Claus and we head off in a Black Hawk helicopter.”
Santa and his elves arrived in Circle on Nov. 6 with boxes of toys, snacks, and school supplies.
“Checked off every name to make sure everyone got something,” Tollerud said.
Circle was the first of three stops in this year’s Operation Santa Claus. Volunteers will depart later this month from Anchorage to visit two more communities off the road system.
Tollerud says that Santa will tag along on these visits, granted the local children are all on the nice list.
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