MEDIA ADVISORY
Ontario International Airport Hosts “Holiday Heroes” Special Event for Homeless Children
| WHAT: | Ontario International Airport (ONT) is hosting a holiday special event for approximately 80 homeless and disadvantaged children. The event will take place at the airport’s fire station where the children, ages five to 17, will be treated to a traditional holiday dinner with all the trimmings, hands-on tour of the fire station, guest appearances by local community mascots such as “Tremor” of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and special visit from Santa Claus who will arrive by helicopter. Each child will receive a present and have keepsake photos taken with Santa Claus. In November, ONT “adopted” the Hero Club (Homework Enrichment Reading and Outreach), an after-school program that provides tutoring services, enrichment activities, clothing and shoes referrals, school supplies, referrals to medical and dental care, on-site counseling services, and food for school-aged homeless children living within the west end of San Bernardino County. The children live in cars, motels or with relatives. ONT’s Community & Public Affairs and Airport Rescue & Firefighting (ARFF) divisions coordinated an airport-wide book and toy drive. The books will be donated to the Hero Club library and the toys will be individually wrapped and handed out to the children at the “Holiday Heroes” event. All books, toys and food for the event were donated by airport employees and on-site companies (e.g. airlines, car rentals, concessions, etc.), and local businesses and organizations. VISUALS: Airport fire station and apparatus display (e.g. fire trucks, decontamination unit, fireproof gear, and specialized crash and fire rescue equipment) Community mascots mingling with the children Santa Claus arrival via helicopter and mingling with the children KFROG Radio Station promotions van and team handing out goodies Children receiving and opening gifts around Santa Claus |
| WHEN: | Wednesday, December 15, 2004 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. |
| WHERE: | Ontario International Airport Fire Station (Safety Base) 1230 Tower Drive Ontario, California 91761 (909) 975-5570 |
| WHO: | Hero Club children and volunteers City of Ontario Mayor Pro Tem Paul Leon Jens Rivera, Airport Manager Dan Lindsay, ARFF Chief Airport firefighters Santa Claus Local mascots |
