Holiday joy and cheer were in the air at Houston Airports. With an estimated 2.4 million passengers passing through the airports from Dec. 17, 2016 to Jan. 2, 2017, Airport worker elves were busy.

Santa Claus even stopped by with treats to put smiles on the faces of passengers both young and not so young. Houston Airports also distributed its Holiday e-card to stakeholders and customers, view it here. In addition, local talent from Aldine Middle School, Kingwood High School’s Madrigals and Megawatts, Eisenhower High School’s Chamber Ensemble, Rayford Intermediate helped add cheer through music.

Charitable efforts

Employees at Houston Airports donated toys that were given to Houston area children. Collections barrels were placed at all three airports in employee break areas and the administration lobby. Hundreds of toys were donated to the 7th Annual Spark of Love Toy Giveaway and Luncheon hosted by Council Member Mike Laster and HPD Police and Clergy Alliance and to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s 22^nd Annual Toys for Kids.

Employees for Pappas Restaurants at Hobby Airport held Project Santa, which provides holiday gifts for deserving Boys and Girls Club children throughout Houston and the United States. It is a unique program that spreads holiday cheer through the fundraising efforts of employees. From servers contributing tips, kitchen staff baking treats for employee donations, to personal giving, it was all-hands-on-deck. Pappas employees donated over $4,000 to provide gifts for 39 children in Houston area Boys and Girls Clubs.  Restaurant staffs purchased gifts for each child’s from their “Wish List,” from socks, to bikes, Legos, to dolls.

In addition, United Airlines held its 23^rd annual Fantasy Flight event for pediatric patients being treated at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Gulf Coast Muscular Dystrophy Association, Texas Children's Hospital and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. The Fantasy Flight takes children, many of whom suffer from serious illnesses or are victims of abuse or homelessness, to the North Pole. United's volunteers bring the holiday spirit to every detail of the experience, including festively dressed flight attendants and pilots, tarmac employees decked out with elf hats, and tinsel and ornament covered airport gates. After a brief flight, the children arrived at the 'North Pole,' a magical winter wonderland created at the airport gates which employees transformed with lights, Christmas trees and volunteers dressed in seasonal garb, including countless elves, as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus who were handing out presents to the children.