HANOVER TOWNSHIP, LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. —Four-year-old Kameron McMullen and his father sat excitedly in the first row of the plane en route to the North Pole.
The father and son, in search of Santa, had never flown on a plane together.
And, as if an elf was playing a trick, there was a mishap at the gate.
United/Skywest Flight 2916, otherwise known as the "North Pole Express," was briefly stuck on the tarmac Saturday after a "naughty" reindeer had gotten his hooves into some molasses.
"We found the culprit, the reindeer that ate too much, so we decided to move him to the cargo and a substitute will be pulling in shortly," Captain Michael Johnson announced on the loudspeaker.
Moments after, the CRJ200 jet was up in the air, circling the sky over the Lehigh Valley, much to the delight of the 13 families onboard the "Fantasy Flight."
The charity flight is a holiday tradition provided by United/SkyWest crews (who gave Rudolph, Donner and Blitzen the morning off), Lehigh Valley International Airport and Dream Come True.
'Grateful' and 'Resilient'
Dream Come True, a local nonprofit founded in 1984, serves local children, ages four to 17, who are chronically or terminally ill.
The McMullen family, including Kameron's parents, Michael and Kirsten, and his older brothers, Karter and Keegan, touched on how grateful they were to be invited to the Dream Come True event.
"There's a lot of things that limit Kameron when we go out. So events like this he’s able to feel special, like it's just for him," Kirsten said.
Michael agreed.
"I also think it helps for the older boys as well. There’s a lot of things that they deal with because we [may] go to the hospital and [for] surgeries and they have to be pushed aside a bit while we focus on Kameron," Michael said.
Kameron McMullen, who is wheelchair bound, was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that occurs when the spine does not form properly.
He has undergone several invasive procedures, including fetal surgery when Kirsten was 22 weeks pregnant.
The family says Kameron is an example of resilience and strength.
"He is a reminder every day to be grateful. He is a miracle, a happy kid," Michael and Kirsten said. "He uses his wheelchair, but it doesn't stop him from doing what he wants to do — he pushes forward no matter what."
Spreading Christmas joy
During the short flight, crew members and volunteers gleefully sang Christmas tunes like "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "Jingle Bells," while the children clapped and shouted at once, "Santa!" "Santa!" as the aircraft descended and arrived safely back to the gate.
Upon disembarking, the kids were transported to their destination, with Santa and Mrs. Claus and their elves arriving in the terminal that was converted into the North Pole — complete with music, decorations, face painting, and loads of smiles.
For the airport staff, the holiday event has a positive effect on morale.
"The staff looks forward to this holiday event all year. They are always eager to volunteer and be part of this celebration that brings joy to the families who are dealing with a lot of challenges," Tom Stoudt, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, said.
As each child was called to sit on Santa's lap, they were presented with a bag full of gifts and a wrapped toy picked out specifically for them, which was the perfect ending to the magical morning.
"I think this has definitely gotten us in the holiday spirit, especially being with the children. It's not something we get to experience all the time," said Andria Novak, a flight attendant at United/SkyWest.
"We sometimes take for granted that we get to fly all the time and go places. Not everyone has that experience and for it to be so special, it really brings us joy."
Those in attendance were also able to participate in several other activities, including lunch, a meet and greet with Disney princesses and playtime with LVIA's C.O.P.E. Therapy Dogs.
