U.S. Air National Guard Airmen with the 134th Air Refueling Wing made a special delivery to the children at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital this holiday season
With the help of Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Airmen, stationed at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base outside of Knoxville, delivered a sleigh full of gifts and smiles to patients at the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The special delivery was part of the wing’s “Santa Cops” program, an annual act of kindness led by Lt. Col. Matthew Bailey and Tech. Sgt. Michael Cornett.
“It’s an opportunity for us who wear the uniform to give back to the community,” Bailey said.
On Friday, Dec. 6, the Airmen got to work shopping for all the kids at the Walmart in Alcoa. The next day, the 134th Air Refueling Wing personally passed out the gift bags at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Video of the exchange shows the kids excitedly opening the gift bags and admiring all of the goodies inside. Bailey described the day as “very emotional.”
Since its conception in 2000, the program has raised more than $190,000 and has served hundreds of patients, according to Bailey. This year alone, Santa Cops raised $17,500 and fulfilled the Christmas wish lists of 60 kids.
The money is raised through donations and fundraisers.
Santa Cops is a tradition that will continue for years to come, spreading a little bit of holiday joy to families who need it most, according to Bailey.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: TN airman pass out gifts at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital