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Santa trades sleigh for chopper

Ashleigh Buyers | Catholic Herald

Wiatt Michael Knight, 2, waves to Santa with his mother, Devin Night (left), and grandmother, Mary Ellen Daugherty.

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Children of all ages welcome Santa as he arrives by helicopter to join children for breakfast and photos.

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Children of all ages welcome Santa as he arrives by helicopter to join children for breakfast and photos.

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Santa shakes hands with Fr. James R. Gould, pastor, after landing via helicopter at St. John the Evangelist Church in Warrenton for the annual breakfast with Santa school fundraiser Dec. 19.

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Santa joins children for breakfast and photos at St. John the Evangelist in Warrenton Dec. 19.

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Saint Nick himself made a special pre-Christmas appearance at St. John the Evangelist’s annual Breakfast with Santa fundraiser event. But instead of arriving in his bright red sleigh, he arrived in a yellow helicopter, a first in the event’s history. The Air Care four team from Front Royal escorted the “jolly old elf” in their chopper and the landing site was prepared behind the school by Warrenton Fire department.

Children and parents of all ages lined up outside the perimeter and waved as the craft with its special passenger came into view against the bright morning sun. After disembarking from the chopper and greeting the good boys and girls that ran to meet him, Santa joined the school for breakfast in the school. During the breakfast children lined up for pictures with Santa, while others participated in games, crafts and cake walks.

“What makes this a great event is the spirit of Christmas that the community brings to it,” said Langdon Johnston, event organizer and parent. “Everyone here working the event today is a volunteer.”

How’s this for an entrance? “St. Nick” arrives at St. John the Evangelist’s annual Breakfast with Santa…flying. http://bit.ly/1JuWvWPPosted by Arlington Catholic Herald on Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Buyers can be reached at [email protected].

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