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CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) -- Santa Claus gets a little help each year from Utah pilots who donate their planes and time as part of the Angel Flight West program.
Pilots from all over the state gathered Saturday for a special mission for the Paiute Indian Tribe. They brought a ton of food, toys and medical supplies to those in need and even made room for Santa, who gave his sleigh a break and hopped on a plane.
"The pilots just love doing this," said Phil Titus, wingleader for the Utah Wing of Angel Flight West.
Titus said his organization will have helped nearly 1,800 families this year. Most of the items delivered were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Toys for Tots and the Utah Food Bank.
On Saturday, children from the Paiute Tribe sat on Santa's lap as adults helped load trucks with Christmas goodies.
Paiute Tribal Chairwoman, Lora Tom, expressed the Tribe's appreciation.
"I think the true meaning of Christmas is to give," she said.
The donations are especially important for the Paiute children, said Shivwits Band of Paiutes Leader Glenn Rogers. If not for Angel Flight West, many wouldn't have much of a Christmas, he said.
"It's good to see them laughing and smiling and seeing Santa," he said. "It's really nice of (the pilots) to help people, to help these kids."
In addition to Saturday's "Santa Flight Mission," Angel Flight West also helps sick people in remote areas by flying them hospitals or doctor appointments, said wing coordinator Andy Wilson.
For the last few weeks, the pilots have been flying items to those in need throughout Utah.
"We were busy," said pilot Rick Eiler. "But we've been able to deliver Christmas to a lot of people."
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Information from: The Spectrum, http://www.thespectrum.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
