Holiday Heroes Take Flight: Southern Utah's Volunteer Pilots Deliver Christmas Magic to Rural Communities

Volunteer pilots across Southern Utah transformed their single-engine aircraft into modern sleighs this December, delivering holiday magic to children in some of the region's most remote communities.

The annual Santa Flight represents far more than a seasonal celebration — it's a cherished tradition that has served different underserved communities across the West since 2000.

Twenty volunteer pilots from Angel Flight West's Utah wing flew hundreds of miles to deliver Christmas gifts and school supplies to two Title I schools on the Utah-Arizona border.

The mission brought toys, winter coats, backpacks and more than 500 books to about 500 students from Water Canyon Elementary in Hildale, Utah, and Cottonwood Elementary in Colorado City, Arizona.

Volunteer pilots, their faces alight with anticipation, carefully loaded their aircraft with colorfully wrapped packages donated by community groups and sponsors such as the John C. Kish Foundation, Bank of Utah, and the Leavitt Group.

The schools gathered at the Colorado City airport to greet Santa, Mrs. Claus, some elves and the pilots.

The arrival sparked immediate joy for students. Principal Brad Jolley noted that seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus in person was naturally exciting, but the event represented more than seasonal celebration — it was a teachable moment about core values.

For the first time, the two schools in their valley came together for a shared activity, creating unprecedented community connection.

Angel Flight West has grown into a vast network of hope since its 1983 founding, with more than 1,800 volunteers who have navigated over 100,000 missions and provided critical travel for over 30,000 passengers.

The organization is best known for providing free air transportation for patients traveling long distances for medical care, where a 45-minute flight can replace a grueling four-hour car ride after cancer treatment.

This profound understanding — that a short flight can transform lives — applies directly to their holiday mission, where aircraft carry not just gifts, but hope and connection.

"We want the children to have a unique experience and to come together as a community to celebrate this time of year," explained volunteer outreach coordinator Joanne Brattain.

Utah Wing leader Lou Rossi emphasized that the effort reflects the generosity of pilots and donors during challenging economic times.

Southern Utah's aviation landscape continues expanding rapidly, with St. George Regional Airport experiencing record-breaking growth of 15% in passenger use — five times the typical 3% airport growth rate.

The region's aviation infrastructure received a boost in December 2024 when Avflight acquired Kemp Jet Services at Ogden Regional Airport, marking the company's first Utah location.

Mission coordinators act as compassionate matchmakers, linking patients with pilots who donate not just their time but every cent of flight costs, while "Earth Angel" volunteers provide crucial ground transportation.

The Santa Flight tradition rotates among rural schools each year, ensuring that different communities experience the magic of volunteer aviation.