SkyWest : Airlines Flies Children to "North Pole" on Eighth Annual Fantasy Flight

Not two weeks before Christmas on a Saturday night;
50 children will board SkyWest's Fantasy Flight. They'll fly to meet Santa Claus at the "North Pole" at this holiday event sure to warm the soul.
SkyWest Airlines will bring the Christmas spirit to underprivileged children and their families with its eighth annual Fantasy Flight on Saturday, Dec. 13! For the last eight years, SkyWest Airlines has partnered with the Junior League of Colorado Springs (JLCS) and CPCD…giving children a head start (CPCD) to bring the magic of the "North Pole" to underprivileged Colorado Springs children.
"The annual Fantasy Flight brings the holiday season in its truest form - giving back while celebrating the wonders of being a child," said Lori Hunt, SkyWest's vice president - People. "SkyWest's people are honored to bring the miracle of flight and the magic of the season to Colorado Springs children."
SkyWest will carry the children aboard a SkyWest Airlines Canadair Regional Jet 700 (CRJ700) on a 30-minute flight from the Colorado Springs Airport to the "North Pole" (COS gate 15). There, the little passengers will be greeted by Santa Claus himself, who will present gifts to each child in attendance. The night will also include dinner for the children and their families, as well as appearances from local Olympians and Sox the Fox, pictures with Santa, a petting zoo and much
more!
Children aboard the Fantasy Flight are enrolled in CPCD early childhood education programs. These children live below the poverty level, have an identified special need, or have a home situation that puts them at risk for school failure.
"The holidays can be a stressful time for our children and families, 80 percent of whom are living in poverty," said CPCD CEO Noreen Landis-Tyson. "Through Fantasy Flight, SkyWest and the Junior League of Colorado Springs provide an unparalleled experience that brings joy and spirit of the holidays to our community's most vulnerable young citizens. We look forward to this annual
event and are grateful to SkyWest and the JLCS for their commitment to making it memorable every
year."
Media are invited and encouraged to attend this memorable holiday experience. Check-in begins at 3:45 p.m. at the Colorado Springs Airport United Airlines ticket counter, and the Fantasy Flight will depart at approximately 6 p.m.

As a leading air service provider offering global access to millions of people each month, SkyWest partners with the world's largest network carriers including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, US Airways, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. With a fleet of 351 aircraft, SkyWest's more than
10,700 aviation professionals operate more than 1,700 flights each day to 192 destinations throughout North America. SkyWest is known for its industry-leading workforce, exceptional leadership team, and continued solid operational and economic performance. The airline is headquartered in St. George, Utah. Visit www.skywest.comfor more information and follow
@SkyWestAirlineson Twitter.

JLCS is a non-profit organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Since 1924, the Junior League of Colorado Springs has addressed the needs and served the community throughout the Pikes Peak region as both an initiator of projects as well as a ready partner to other non-profit organizations. To learn more about the JLCS, visit www.jlcoloradosprings.orgor contact the Junior League office at (719) 632-3855.

CPCD provides more than 2,000 children living in poverty or challenged by special circumstances with an early childhood education through three core programs - Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Colorado Preschool Program. CPCD collaborates with the community to bring comprehensive
services to our children and families, including health, behavioral health, dental, nutrition,
transportation, and family support services. More information available at cpcdheadstart.org.

McKinnley Matson Heather Lenard
SkyWest Airlines Colorado Springs Airport
435.216.8961 719.550.1902 corporate.communications@skywest.com hlenard@springsgov.com
Amie Bennight Johnna Hayes
CPCD…giving children a head start Junior League of Colorado Springs
719.884.1414 719.464.8354 abennight@cpcd.org president@jlcoloradosprings.org
office@jlcoloradosprings.org
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