The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Santa Clause and Mrs. Claus brought gifts to every student at the FE Miley School on Tuesday. He flew into the airport and met with all of the students. The Mountaineer missed the opportunity to interview Santa Clause because he was running late. It seems the airplane isn't as reliable in bad weather and his reindeer. However, he didn't come to be interviewed; he came to bring joy to our elementary children in Big Sandy. Not everyone got the same gift. Some got stuffed animals other received fidgets. One boy received a remote-control airplane.

Red Sleighs Over Montana organized Santa's visit. The Museum of Mountain Faying initiated the inaugural Red Sleighs over Montana in December 2020. Santa visited 20 rural communities throughout western Montana with limited economic resources. Organizers recruited local pilots to fly Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Last year Santa delivered gifts to nearly 1,000 children. Pilots donated their time, energy, and all aircraft expenses for the project.

In 2021 the goal was to make this year's endeavor more expansive than ever, adding 23 communities, including Sandpoint and Bonner's Ferry in Idaho. Those communities in Montana are White Sulfur Springs, Thompson Falls, Stevensville, Superior, Sunset School, Shelby, Seeley Lake, Potomac, Plains, Philipsburg, Lincoln, Libby, Hot springs, Havre, Eureka, Drummond, Deer Lodge, Darby, Cut Bank, Chouteau, Butte, Anaconda, and Big Sandy.

If you would like to donate or provide specific items to needy families in Montana communities, contact Pat Collins at 406-396-0755, or email her at 1802PatC@gmail.com.

Red Sleighs Over Montana is a project of The Museum of Mountain Flying Inc., Missoula International Airport, 5225 US Hwy 10 West, Suite 29, Missoula MT 59808. In case any child would like to write a thank you for bringing Santa to Big Sandy.