A red Bell helicopter sliced through the North Texas sky on Thursday, carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus to 11 schools in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District.
The helicopter landed at Donna Park Elementary around 9:30 a.m., where students gathered on the blacktop, jumping and dancing.
By 9:45 a.m., the whirring of the helicopter blades filled the air and little hands pointed skyward as some spotted Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving overhead.
Sixth-grader Emma Salazar and her kindergarten buddy were the first to greet the famous couple after they touched down.
“It was cool and I really, I was really excited because I was the one that got picked,” Salazar said.
The Clauses do not bring gifts; their mission is all about high-fives and hugs for hundreds of students.
Julie McAvoy, principal of Donna Park Elementary, said, “It’s not about the candy. It’s not about the presents. It’s about being together and just the happiness and joy.”
McAvoy, who has worked in the district for 25 years, said this was her final year and she plans to return next year even if it’s just from beyond the playground fence.
She added, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. This is something that makes the Christmas spirit come alive.”
At each visit, Santa is joined by friends like elves, Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman.
Randy Lockhart, executive director of Santa’s Texas Team and Santa’s longtime right-hand man, said, “There’s about 50 of us that work together, and we have to put all this together, plan it.”
Lockhart has been part of the tradition for nearly 40 years and said the nonprofit has been running since the mid-1970s.
He noted that parents bring their kids because they remember seeing this when they were kids here, including his own children and now grandchildren, some of whom also volunteer.
Planning for the event begins in April and takes a full team to pull it off.
Firefighters and police officers provide support at each stop, and Bell provides the helicopter.
The rides start on December 1 and include visits to local nursing homes.
Lockhart said, “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. It reminds them of their youth.”
To keep the tradition alive, Lockhart said the team needs more hands.
He added, “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.”
The North Texas tradition continues to bring holiday cheer to schools and nursing homes, uniting generations with high-fives, hugs, and the spirit of togetherness.
Key Takeaways
- Santa and Mrs. Claus visit 11 Hurst-Euless-Bedford schools in a Bell helicopter.
- Randy Lockhart’s team of volunteers brings high-fives, hugs, and holiday joy.
- The event includes nursing homes and relies on community volunteers for support.
The tradition, rooted in community volunteerism and a love of holiday joy, shows how a simple helicopter ride can brighten the lives of students and seniors alike.
