Volunteers bring Santa to remote Alaska village

SHISHMAREF — Volunteers in the Operation Santa Program and the Alaska National Guard brought Christmas to the remote Inupiat Eskimo community of Shishmaref, on Alaska’s western coast.

Children received toys, coats, school supplies and the rare treats of apples and oranges along with ice cream during the Saturday (Dec 6) visit.

“Cause everybody loves ice cream,” said 17-year-old Cheyenne Nayokpuk when asked why anyone living 40km south of the Arctic Circle would want the cold treat.

It’s the 58th year for the program to bring a little holiday cheer to remote Alaska villages, where poverty is widespread.

“For some of these kids, if it weren’t for the toys we’re delivering, they might not get a toy or anything at Christmas,” said Major George Baker, divisional commander for the Salvation Army in Alaska.

“In many respects, some of these village areas are almost like Third World villages, and a lot people don’t understand that,” he said. “You think we’re living in the United States, but for a lot of these folks, this makes Christmas for them.”

The other village that received a visit this year was Newtok. Both are among Alaska’s most eroded villages; both have plans to relocate.

The National Guard provided a C-130 transport plane to take the volunteers, including a Salvation Army band, and gifts to Shishmaref, about a 1,610km north-west of Anchorage or about 150km east of Russia, across the Bering Strait in the Chukchi Sea.

“There is a lot of need in Shishmaref,” said school Principal Ralph Watkins. “Having access to just some of your basic things is an event.” AP