US Coast Guard Cutter SPAR conducts outreach with residents of Old Harbor, Alaska

Santa gives a present to a student in Old Harbor, Alaska, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012. The Coast Guard Cutter SPAR delivers Santa and his elves to Old Harbor annually and prior to the SPAR the now decommissioned Coast Guard Cutter Firebush delivered Santa to Old Harbor. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg.

KODIAK, Alaska — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter SPAR brought Santa Clause, presents and a career fair to residents and students of Old Harbor, Alaska Dec. 4.

As part of the annual Santa to the Villages event, crewmembers aboard the SPAR, along with Santa Clause and his elves, carried clothing, books and other presents through the village of Old Harbor where they were greeted by children and parents in the Old Harbor High School gymnasium.

“Bringing Santa to the Village of Old Harbor is a great way to continue the tradition of Coast Guard cutters, and previously Revenue Service cutters, visiting and delivering supplies to Alaskan villages,” said Lt. Gordon Hood, executive officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter SPAR. “There's nothing like an early visit from the Santa himself to bring holiday cheer.”

During the gift-giving event, the children of Old Harbor were called up by age,  and one-by-one they sat on Santa’s lap to receive a wrapped present. Then they chose one book and a set of hand-knitted scarves, hats and mittens with the elves.

“Every year, the crew of the SPAR brings a sense of unity to the community of Old Harbor, as well as the Christmas spirit for the children and families,” said Jim Cedeo, the Old Harbor public safety officer. “When the SPAR comes through, it really is a big cornerstone of our holiday season.”

The crew of the SPAR also hosted a career fair aboard the cutter for middle school and high school students. The crew established different stations aboard the cutter where students learned about the Coast Guard’s roles, missions and careers along with vocational opportunities outside of the village. The vocations discussed included becoming a welder, an electrician, a mechanic and a nursing assistant.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter SPAR marches with Santa, elves and presents through the village of Old Harbor, Alaska, Tuesday, Dec. 04, 2012.   U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg.

“We do all of these jobs and more aboard the ship and we're able to offer insight about vocations that are available both in the Coast Guard and in the civilian workforce,” said Hood.

“The kids are still talking about what they saw aboard the ship,” said Cedeo. “It is good that they can see something else outside of the village, something that they can see as a future career field. It really is a wonderful thing, and it gives them hope.”

The crew of the SPAR crew has been involved in the Santa to the Villages trips since 2003.