On Saturday, Santa Claus came a little earlier than usual for many local children from underprivileged families, thanks to help from the CSRA business community.
The Augusta Regional Airport and Richmond County Marshal’s Office hosted the fifth annual Santa’s Fly-In to provide toys for 136 kids from 40 families.
“We partner with Augusta Partnership for Children, Inc. and work with local businesses and individuals,” said the airport’s Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Lauren Smith. “This is our biggest year yet, and we hope to continue growing.”
Business sponsors for the event included Kona Ice, Tippett Eye Care, D’Antignac & Merritt Heating & Air, Chick-fil-A, and Delta Airlines, which provided bikes for the children.
“We had over 20 businesses,” said the Marshal’s Office Executive Assistant, Julie Kelly.
One of those businesses was CG Catering, which is owned by Carl Gaston. Gaston and his team prepared breakfast for families that attended Santa’s Fly-In.
“I felt like it was a good opportunity to give back to the community,” he said.
During the event, the children and some of the adults were excited to watch Santa land at the airport in a helicopter.
