THUNDER BAY – Santa Claus is paying an early visit to Ontario’s North.
Leaving his reindeer behind to rest up for Christmas Eve and escorted by members of the RCMP’s ‘O’ Division, Saint Nick left North Star Air’s hangar with a plane full of gifts for children in remote First Nations communities, the culmination of the annual Toys for the North campaign.
"We have a long list of people, member companies, distribution partners, donors, veteran and policing agencies along with the caring public that helped us to get here today. We're looking forward to seeing all the smiles on the faces of the kids....it's all about the kids,” said Staff Sgt. Norman Roy of the RCMP.
North Star Air’s Karen Matson said it’s a partnership that’s four years strong.
"The communities are excited, we all are. It's been weeks of hard work, but today is the day and it's all worth it." said Matson.
Santa will be making stops in Deer Lake and Poplar Hills First Nations.
About 600 toys are expected to be handed out.
Over the years the program has donated more than $500,000 worth of toys to children in norther parts of Labrador, Manitoba, Ontario and Nunavut.
