United Airlines Takes Children On Flight From Newark To 'North Pole'
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- United Airlines hosted a flight for a group of children from Newark Liberty International Airport to Santa's workshop at a fantasy North Pole.
The children, many of whom have or are recovering from a serious illness, are patients at University Hopsital and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
"It's the most amazing thing for these children," said one participant.
They boarded a United jetliner at Newark airport on Wednesday for a short flight and landed to find the gate decorated like the North Pole.
"It's probably the most important, fun thing they do all year," Susan LaBagnara, an advanced practice nurse at University Hopsital, told WCBS 880's Levon Putney.
Santa Claus was on hand along with the New Jersey Performing Arts Swingin' Holidays performers and airline volunteers.
Tamburah Reliford's 4-year-old daughter Neorah was ready to ask Santa for a baby doll and a stroller, "And that's all I want," she said.
"First plane ride, first fantasy flight and she's excited," said Neorah's mother.
Anu, who has sickle cell anemia, told 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet he couldn't sleep last night.
"I didn't want to sleep because I was so excited to go here," he said.
United Airlines has made an annual event out of the fantasy flights.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)