ALPA Pilots Share the Magic of the Season

From charitable drives to flights with magical destinations, ALPA pilots are giving back and spreading cheer across their communities this holiday season. Recently, PAL Airlines ALPA pilots flew families to the North pole, Delta ALPA pilots hosted a hugely successful holiday tie drive, and a Pilots For Kids group led by a United ALPA pilot visited young patients at two New Jersey hospitals.

PAL Airlines Pilots Take Families on Magical Flights to the North Pole

The magic of the holiday season took flight once again as PAL Airlines hosted its annual Flight to the North Pole, bringing joy and wonder to more than 100 children from communities across Eastern Canada. This year marked an exciting milestone—the very first North Pole flight departing from Labrador, making the experience even more special for families in the region.

Capt. Paul Snow waves enthusiastically from the flight deck, with F/O Evan Purchase in the background.

Flights departed from St. John’s, N.L.; Happy Valley–Goose Bay, N.L.; Québec City, Que.; and Sept-Îles, Que., with three flights landing on December 6 and one landing on December 13. From takeoff to landing, the day was filled with festive cheer, surprises, and unforgettable memories.

Capt. John Greey speaks with a young passenger traveling to the North Pole.

Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their team of elves greeted the children. From answering curious questions to handing out gifts, the experience was nothing short of memorable.

A heartfelt thank-you goes to the incredible pilots for making this magical journey possible:

Capts. John Greey, Delcio Filipe Arruda, and Paul Snow
F/Os Noah Childs, Mathieu Dunberry, Evan Purchase, and Courtney Trimm

Thanks to the dedication of these ALPA pilots and the rest of the PAL Airlines crew, families enjoyed a holiday tradition that will be cherished for years to come.

Delta Pilots Holiday Neckwear—A Hugely Popular and Charitable Tradition

Each year, the Delta Pilots Charitable Fund (DPCF) hosts a holiday tie and scarf campaign in partnership with a children’s hospital. Delta pilots are allowed to wear the tie or scarf with their uniform throughout the holiday season, and all net proceeds support children in need.

This year’s holiday neckwear was designed by Melody and Jovial, two inspiring patients at Gillette Children’s in St. Paul, Minn., who generously contributed their creativity to the campaign. Available for pilots to purchase at $25 each, the ties and scarves were sold out before Thanksgiving.

The DPCF was founded in 1999 by Delta pilots who wanted to promote the health, education, and welfare of America’s most valuable resource—children. The fund has given over $2 million to over 200 charities since 1999.

EWR Pilots For Kids Doubles Efforts with Two Holiday Visits

Thanks to many generous donors, the EWR Chapter of Pilots For Kids (PFK) expanded to two locations this season, making visits to deliver holiday cheer to young patients at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Children Hospital.

“We would like to thank those who helped make this possible. It is truly appreciated,” said F/O Dave Anfora (UAL), EWR Pilots For Kids coordinator.

Their first visit was to the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian on December 2. Despite cloudy skies and heavy rain, many smiles and brightened days were found indoors as the 17 volunteers split into five groups to make rounds around the very large facility. They were greeted by many members of Hackensack Meridian Health, including Dr. Lisa Tank, chief hospital executive and president of Hackensack University Medical Center.

The group included 15 pilots from United and 1 from American—from UAL were F/O Dave Anfora, Capt. Evan Hecht, F/O Eric Liliebladh, Capt. Max Enis, F/O Darwin Man, Capt. Michelle Bishop, Capt. Ravi Patel, F/O Dan Thangavelu, F/O Kyle Fisher, F/O Emily Bennett, F/O Kelly Sielis, F/O Beth Cameron, F/O Shawn Nelson, F/O Heather Hatton, and F/O Paul Grieco) and from AA, F/O Tomer Chutman. Also joining the group was Ana Garcia from the United EWR Chief Pilot’s Office, who Anfora notes is “always most helpful to our cause.” This was EWR PFK’s second year in a row visiting HMH.

The group’s second visit was to St. Joseph’s Children Hospital in Paterson, N.J., on December 11. “This was a hospital that had been visited years ago by my predecessor, the late Capt. Brian Heron,” recalls Anfora.

With the hospital setting a limit on number of participants, volunteers included F/O Dave Anfora, Capt. Ray Poggioli, F/O Hady Eltokhy, and Capt. Joe Gallegos, all from United; Capt. Giovanny Para, U.S. Air Force; and Ana Garcia joined again.

The pilots were delighted to have an unexpected special guest join their team for most of the day: a therapy black Labrador retriever named “Roddy.” Together, they visited both inpatient and outpatient children of all ages, including infants, and their families. All were most excited to receive gifts, talk about aviation, receive wings, and take photos.

To view the full photo albums, visit the EWR PFK chapter page and scroll to the bottom. Anfora hopes to continue EWR PFK’s work with another visit this coming spring.