United Airlines and Starlight Foundation take children to North Pole to meet Santa on a Great Escape

On Sat., Dec. 11, 2010, approximately 60 seriously ill children and their siblings will take a flight from DIA to the North Pole on Santa’s Fantasy Sleigh Ride. United Airlines’ employees, who have been raising funds for this event all year, will take the children on a 30-minute flight around Denver and land at a United Airlines hanger decorated like the North Pole where they will visit with Santa and receive gifts. This event is part of Starlight Foundation’s Great Escapes program, which grants seriously ill children and their families the opportunity to create memorable experiences outside of the hospital to take their minds off their illnesses.

Some of the children are fighting cancer; others are waiting for organ transplants. “Our Santa’s Fantasy Sleigh Ride delivers a playful, fun experience for children, which is in line with our mission to provide positive experiences for seriously ill children,” said Becky Gutrich, chairman of the board for Starlight. “This event is made possible through the generous employees at United Airlines and creates a one-of-a-kind experience for our kids and their families.”

WHEN: Sat., Dec. 11, 2010 from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
2:45 p.m. – Children Arrive at DIA for their trip to the North Pole.
3:30 p.m. – Children will board the plane to the North Pole from Terminal B.
4 p.m. – Flight Takes Off
5 p.m. – Children Arrive at the “North Pole” in United Hangar to visit with Santa.

WHERE: Denver International Airport

About Great Escapes
Starlight created the Great Escapes family activities program to provide families with the chance to spend quality time together — away from the hospital — so that they can relax and regroup, and return home with a new-found sense of strength and hope. In addition, everyone in the family is able to meet others who are facing similar challenges, reducing their feelings of isolation. This community-building bolsters spirits, provides outlets for buried emotions, and provides a vital support system during the most difficult times in a family's life. Outings include ball games, picnics, cruises, spa days and movie premiers. Starlight, corporate sponsors and individual donors underwrite all costs. For more information, visit www.starlight.org/greatescapes.

About Starlight Children’s Foundation
When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation™ has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Through a network of offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.
To learn more visit http://www.starlight.org.

Traction Communications
620 16th Street, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80202

Press Contact: Angela Kmezich
303-302-2150

This release was published on openPR.