SANTA AND LOCAL MASCOTS VISIT VAN NUYS AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

(Van Nuys, Calif., -- Dec. 18, 2008)  Santa arrived by fire engine today to extend holiday greetings to more than 490 students at Van Nuys’ GaultStreetElementary School.  Van Nuys Airport’s Adopt-A-School program sponsored the annual celebration. 

“This festive occasion is part of our award-winning educational program, which helps to expose children to aviation,” said Van Nuys Airport Manager Selena Birk.  “The students, airport staff and Gault faculty look forward to the event each year.”

“The staff loves sharing the airport with the community.  We conduct airport tours, and for those unable to visit us, we can take the airport to you with our ‘airport on wheels’ and/or traveling DVD presentations about Van Nuys Airport.”

With a generous supply of presents and accompanied by a lively ground crew that included Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Santa arrived on the school playground by way of an antique fire truck courtesy of the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum.  Each participating student received a gift .   Prior to Santa’s arrival, the program featured a performance by the Iztac Cuauhtli (White Eagle) Aztec dancers.

All children were entered into a drawing for prizes of gift certificates and tickets donated by local businesses and attractions including In-N-Out Burger, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Millie’s Restaurant, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and ShermanOaksCastlePark.