Santa's Elves to arrive at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on December 3 as "Operation Ho Ho Ho" Delivers Presents to SickKids Hospital

Tweet this link: http://bit.ly/1HUTZdS

TORONTO, Dec. 2, 2014 /CNW/ - Santa's Elves are flying into Toronto early this year not in a sleigh, but rather in a CH-146 Griffon helicopter that will drop them off at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on route to deliver presents to kids at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) as part of the Canadian Armed Forces' annual "Operation Ho Ho Ho."

The Toronto Port Authority (TPA), with assistance from Porter Airlines, has arranged for the safe landing and passage of Santa's Elves who, along with Canadian Armed Forces personnel, will deliver toys, books and other gifts donated from across the Greater Toronto Area to SickKids patients and their families. The City of Toronto's 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (THS) will give Santa's Elves a lift to Billy Bishop Airport, doing a fly-by of SickKids at 10:00 a.m. The Elves will arrive at the airport by helicopter and will then transfer sacks of presents to Military Escorted Vehicles which will cross the Western Channel via the airport's ferry, head up University Avenue and arrive at the hospital to deliver the presents.

Media are invited to be there as the elves arrive and load into the Military Escorted Vehicles.

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2014           

Time: 10:00 a.m. (helicopter scheduled to land at 10:10 a.m.)

Additional information: Any media wishing to attend and film/photograph the helicopter landing on the tarmac must bring media I.D. to be permitted access. Media who wish to drive their vehicle across to the island-side of the airport can receive complimentary ferry passage by contacting Erin Mikaluk at the coordinates below.

TORONTO PORT AUTHORITY (www.torontoport.com)
For more than 100 years the Toronto Port Authority has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. The Toronto Port Authority owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomes more than two million passengers each year; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Terminals 51 and 52, which provide transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. The Toronto Port Authority is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $5.6 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. TPA operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.

SOURCE: Toronto Port Authority

Media Contact: Erin Mikaluk, Senior Manager, Communications & Media Relations, Toronto Port Authorit, Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]