Pilots pack up to fly gifts to foster children
Waterford Township — For Marlene Kelly, delivering gifts to less fortunate children is her own version Christmas morning.
Kelly joined her boyfriend, Gary Read, on Saturday at Oakland County International Airport to load dozens of holiday gifts into his five-seater 1967 Beech Bonanza as part of a program that delivers holiday gifts to foster children across Michigan.
“When we land some of the kids are out there,” said Kelly, 55, of Shelby Township, who is headed to Muskegon. “Seeing the excitement on their faces, it’s like Christmas morning for us. That’s a big joy.”
The pair are among about 200 pilots who are expected to fly out to 24 different Michigan airports Saturday to deliver 16,182 gifts for 5,394 children from flight and ground distribution as part of the annual Operation Good Cheer program.
In its 44th year, the effort sponsored by Child and Family Services of Michigan Inc., is a volunteer-based project that delivers gifts to foster care children in Michigan who have been victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment.
Agencies volunteer to participate in the program and identify donors to buy at least three gifts for each child from a wish list that includes each child’s name, age and interests. Gifts range from toys to books, clothes, bicycles and electronics and are purchased by about 270 individuals, families and corporations.
The program is for children ranging in age from birth to 18 enrolled in the foster care program or placed in residential facilities, says Sherry Brackenwagen, administrative director of Child and Family Services of Michigan.
“The foster parents they do a great job of providing a safe environment for the kids,” she said. “A lot of them have their own children and when it comes to the holidays sometimes there’s just not enough to go around. That’s why we’ve started this program.”
On Friday, volunteers spent the day picking up, transporting and sorting gifts.
Brackenwagen said some of the children will receive their gifts Saturday. Others may be presented with them during a holiday party or have them delivered to homes in time for Christmas Day.
Many of the children, Brackenwagen said, show their appreciation by sending thank you notes to the organizations and pilots.
“These children, some of them find it hard to believe that there are people who really do care for them,” she added. “They never had a Christmas before.”
Pilots Ron and Nancy Walters, both 70, of Royal Oak have been participating in the program for more than 15 years.
The Walters learned of the program because it’s where they store their red, white and blue Beechcraft Bonanza. On Saturday morning, the pair was outfitted in Santa hats, waiting for their destination assignment.
“It’s kind of a way to give back. It makes you feel good, no question about it,” Ron Walters said, adding each year they adopt two children and purchase gifts. “It gives us a chance to help some kids that probably don’t have a lot of great days in their life.”
CFerretti@detroitnews.com