Marisa Garcia SAS demonstrates the true spirit of Christmas with a special video which details the airline’s ongoing support of a very worthy cause.
The SAS Julefly, or Christmas Flight, is a charitable effort based in Norway which brings care packages and Christmas cheer to the needy.
The flight’s destination is Bethel’s Centre of Pastoral Care, in Tallinn, Estonia, which is home to 30 children aged between 1 and 18. At its day center and orphanage, and through its community programs, children without families, and mothers and children who have escaped an abusive environment, find comfort and care.
The organization depends on voluntary contributions of food, clothing, and health care.
The SAS Julefly project started in 1984 when Karsten Midtun, a former SAS captain, coordinated an SAS and Braathens charitable flight to deliver woolen blankets to Africa.
Over the years, the project has grown into an ambitious year-round humanitarian effort with a unique twist: volunteers pay to participate.
This helps raise necessary funds for logistics and operations, and ensures that those who take part are genuinely committed to the Christmas Flight for the long-haul.
As one participant in the program says in the video, “It should cost to be part of SAS Christmas Flight. You get paid when you get over there and see the recipients. That is worth far more than money.”
The full history of the project can be seen in this second SAS video:
SAS has also featured more information on the project in its Scandinavian Traveller magazine.
The group hopes that those who learn about the initiative in Denmark and Sweden will also be eager to help.
