This photo taken Dec. 6, 2014, shows Christmas toys and other supplies being loaded from a C130 military transport plane onto sleds being pulled by snowmobiles in Shishmaref, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard provided transport for the good Samaritan program Operation Santa, which took gifts and schools supplies to about 300 children in the Inupiat Eskimo community. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

This photo taken Dec. 6, 2014, shows Christmas toys and other supplies being loaded from a C130 military transport plane onto sleds being pulled by snowmobiles in Shishmaref, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard provided transport for the good Samaritan program Operation Santa, which took gifts and schools supplies to about 300 children in the Inupiat Eskimo community. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Volunteers bring Santa to remote Alaska village

  • By Mark Thiessen
  • Tuesday, December 9, 2014 11:19pm
  • News

SHISHMAREF — Volunteers who brought Christmas to a remote Inupiat Eskimo community on Alaska’s western coast came bearing necessities like coats and school supplies as well as rare treats like apples, oranges and even ice cream.

“’Cause everybody loves ice cream,” said 17-year-old Cheyenne Nayokpuk when asked why anyone living 25 miles south of the Arctic Circle would want the cold treat.

The Operation Santa Program and the Alaska National Guard brought toys and other gifts to Shishmaref during the Saturday visit. It’s the 58th year the program has brought a little holiday cheer to remote Alaska villages, where poverty is widespread.

“For some of these kids, if it weren’t for the toys we’re delivering, they might not get a toy or anything at Christmas,” said Maj. George Baker, divisional commander for the Salvation Army in Alaska.

“In many respects, some of these village areas are almost like Third World villages, and a lot people don’t understand that,” he said. “You think we’re living in the United States, but for a lot of these folks, this makes Christmas for them. Were it not for (Operation) Santa, they might not have anything.”

Besides Shishmaref, the other village that received a visit this year was Newtok. Both are among Alaska’s most eroded villages; both have plans to relocate, with Newtok further along in the process.

The National Guard provided a C-130 transport plane to take the volunteers, including a Salvation Army band, and gifts to Shishmaref, located about 600 miles northwest of Anchorage or about 100 miles east from Russia, across the Bering Strait in the Chukchi Sea.

“There is a lot of need in Shishmaref,” school Principal Ralph Watkins said. “Having access to just some of your basic things is an event.”

He said it takes effort to get to the village. For anyone wanting to get there from the Lower 48 states, it would require first a flight to Anchorage, followed by another airplane ride to Nome, followed by a small-plane ride to Shishmaref. It’s a big deal for someone to come in and bring gifts, he said.

“It’s all the kids have been talking about for the last week,” he said.

Some community members drove their snowmobiles to the airstrip to greet the arriving airplane and wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus as they got off. The honored couple rode in a pickup to the school for the big event, while other volunteers jumped in sleds and were pulled to town by snowmobiles.

Before Santa and Mrs. Claus made their appearance, the children of Shishmaref welcomed the visitors with Alaska Native dances.

The Clauses then arrived to a standing ovation from those in the packed gym, including the estimated 300 children who would receive gifts.

Santa then met with every child — some more willing than others — before the children went down a line to receive a gift, backpack, a book and then ice cream.

Nellie Okpowruk, 18, was among the students standing in a long line to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. As for her gift, she had something specific on her wish list.

“I want a trip, a round-trip ticket to Oregon to see my cousin and her daughter,” she said with a giggle.

This photo taken Dec. 6, 2014, shows a crying child unsure of what to make of Santa Claus in Shishmaref, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard provided transport for the good Samaritan program Operation Santa, which took gifts and schools supplies to about 300 children in the Inupiat Eskimo community. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

This photo taken Dec. 6, 2014, shows a crying child unsure of what to make of Santa Claus in Shishmaref, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard provided transport for the good Samaritan program Operation Santa, which took gifts and schools supplies to about 300 children in the Inupiat Eskimo community. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

More in News

A towering Lutz spruce, center, in the Chugach National Forest is about to be hoisted by a crane Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, for transport to the West Lawn of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to be the 2015 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)
Tongass National Forest selected to provide 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Eight to 10 candidate trees will be evaluated, with winner taking “whistlestop tour” to D.C.

A slash pile containing non-organic construction debris is seen at the Snug Harbor Slash Disposal site on Sept. 22, 2020, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Land Management)
Assembly OKs concrete lease in Cooper Landing

The vote came amid widespread community opposition to the agreement

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Children hunt for Easter eggs during the Easter Eggstravaganza at Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Saturday.
Easter eggs, bunnies arrive on the Kenai Peninsula

There are plenty of opportunities to grab a photo with the Easter bunny or seek out some eggs

Flier for Bear Awareness and Electric Fencing Workshops. (Provided by Defenders of Wildlife)
Local workshops to focus on managing bear attractants, electric fencing

The series will run Monday through Friday, April 1-5, in Hope, Seward, Kenai, Soldotna and Homer

A person walks up the steps of the Alaska Capitol, Jan. 16, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Some KPBSD schools could benefit from internet bill passed by House

If House Bill 193 becomes law, an additional six KPBSD schools would be eligible for the state’s grant program

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A veterinarian with Greater Good Charities escorts dog Maggie into a free spay/neuter clinic at the Moose Pass Fire Station on Thursday.
Moose Pass rallies behind free spay and neuter clinic

The clinic was put on by Greater Good Charities Good Fix program

Signage marks the entrance to Nikiski Middle/High School on Monday, May 16, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski student arrested after school shooting threats

The juvenile student faces charges of terroristic threatening

Armageddon waits to be shown at the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Bjorkman farm tax relief bill clears Senate

The bill is now up for consideration in the House

Most Read