Santa’s Red‑Bell Helicopter Flights Bring Hugs, Not Gifts, to 11 HEB Schools

Santa’s modern‑day sleigh—a red Bell helicopter— has landed in the heart of Hurst‑Euless‑Bedford, turning the district’s 11 schools into a glittering stage for holiday cheer.

Santa’s Flight Over HEB Schools

The helicopter touched down at Donna Park Elementary around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, and by 9:45 a.m. the whirring of its blades filled the air. Students gathered on the blacktop, jumping and dancing as they watched Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive overhead. Sixth‑grader Emma Salazar, who was with a kindergarten buddy, was the first to greet the famous couple. “It was cool and I really, I was really excited because I was the one that got picked,” Salazar said.

The Mission of the Claus

Santa and Mrs. Claus do not bring gifts. Their mission is all about high‑fives and hugs for hundreds of students. “It’s not about the candy. It’s not about the presents. It’s about being together and just the happiness and joy,” said Julie McAvoy, principal of Donna Park Elementary, who has worked in the district for 25 years. McAvoy added, “Every year, it’s a little bit different with the faces of the kids, but this year was extra special to see how excited they were to have Santa actually fly in, to give that last hug to Santa and Mrs. Claus,” she said. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. This is something that makes the Christmas spirit come alive,” she added. Even in retirement, McAvoy said she plans to return next year—even if it’s just from beyond the playground fence.

The Team Behind the Tradition

At each stop, Santa is joined by a parade of characters—elves, Rudolph, and Frosty the Snowman. “There’s about 50 of us that work together, and we have to put all this together, plan it,” said Randy Lockhart, executive director of Santa’s Texas Team and Santa’s longtime right‑hand man. Lockhart has been part of the tradition for nearly 40 years, and the nonprofit has been running since the mid‑1970s. He explained that the joy of the kids is the driving force: “Seeing the joy of the kids and the excitement that we see and just the pleasure that we get to bring,” Lockhart said. “We have parents that are bringing their kids because they remember seeing this when they were kids here,” he added. Lockhart’s own children and now grandchildren also volunteer, continuing a family legacy of holiday cheer.

Planning and Logistics

Planning for the rides begins in April. A full team of volunteers, firefighters, and police officers supports each stop, while Bell provides the helicopter. The schedule starts on Dec. 1 and includes visits to local nursing homes. “We have residents in some of the nursing homes that will get up at five o’clock in the morning anticipating us being there, and they’ll dress up,” Lockhart said. “It reminds them of their youth.” The tradition also relies on the community’s willingness to help; Lockhart urged, “We need people to come work with us. We need help. We need people that are willing to give their time, give their effort to bring joy.”.

Why the Tradition Matters

The Santa rides have become a staple of North Texas holiday culture, drawing parents who remember the spectacle from their own childhoods. As Lockhart noted, the nonprofit’s longevity—nearly four decades—speaks to the enduring appeal of a simple, joyful encounter. The mission remains unchanged: to bring a moment of shared happiness, free from material gifts, to children and seniors alike.

Key Takeaways

• Santa and Mrs. Claus deliver high‑fives and hugs, not gifts, to 11 HEB schools.
• The tradition, started in the mid‑1970s, relies on 50 volunteers and community support.
• Planning starts in April, with rides beginning Dec. 1 and including nursing homes.

The Santa rides continue to be a heart‑warming reminder that the true spirit of Christmas is found in togetherness and joy, not in presents.