On Wednesday, December 19th Kicks For Kids (KFK) and Comair took 84 kids on an exciting journey to the 'North Pole'. Children from Northern Kentucky, Greater Cincinnati, and Southeastern Indiana all took part in Operation North Pole... an exciting new event for KFK. The evening began with the children checking in at Comair's headquarters near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. It would end after a night the kids would remember forever.

After a quick pizza dinner the kids, with their tickets in hand, were eager to board their flight. For many this would be their first time on a plane. Thanks to Comair, and some of Santa's elves, there were two different trips. One took to the skies for an adventurous flight before winding up at the 'North Pole'. The other trip was a fun journey amid the airport's terminals and runways... for those not quite ready to take flight. As the children from each trip prepared for takeoff, Santa's elves led everyone aboard in the singing of some classic Christmas carols. In both cases, as the plane accelerated down the runway, cheers, laughter and even some screams echoed throughout the cabin -- especially in the case of the trip that actually took to the skies!

While the trip on the plane was likely the highlight of the evening for most of the children, Santa had plenty in store for the kids upon their arrival at the 'North Pole'. As each child entered the party room that was dressed in Christmas decor, they received a bag full of Christmas goodies to take home. The 84 kids then eagerly waited to hear an elf call their name so they could get their picture taken with Santa and see what gifts he had brought for them. Of course no trip to the 'North Pole' would be complete without some hot chocolate and Christmas cookies, so thanks to some of Santa's helpers, all the children enjoyed some delicious snacks before leaving for the warmer climate of the Tri-state.

Thanks to Beverly Wolfer, Donna Herron, Dave Soaper and all the great folks at Comair for hosting Operation North Pole. It was yet another new way in which KFK provided opportunities to local children at risk in 2007 in an attempt to 'level the playing field'. It was a unique event that we were happy to partner with Comair on, and it will leave a lasting impression on 84 kids from our area. As they were leaving, several children gushed "This was the best night of my whole life!"