Document text
Sparrows ride Santa's sleigh St. Mary's students Maddy Bryan and Ryan Becquer help Johnny Duclos put the finishing touches on a wheelchair-accessible sleigh designed for visiting with Santa. Mail Tribune / Denise Baratta Wednesday Dec 14, 2016 at 5:50 PM Dec 15, 2016 at 12:04 PM Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Several dozen Rogue Valley families were treated to a meet-and-greet with old St. Nick last weekend in such style that everyone felt like VIPs. An event called "Santa Loves Sparrows" included 80-plus children served by Sparrow Clubs, an organization that helps families of medically fragile children, who were invited to meet Santa and have a talk about looming holiday surprises. A new feature this year was a custom-built, wheelchair-accessible sleigh that ensured Santa could listen to the Christmas wishes of all his visitors, and that any of the kids who visited him would be able to sit as close as necessary to whisper their holiday wishes. Airport Chevrolet Manager Doug Mills said he commissioned the sleigh as a way to ensure none of the kids who visited Santa at the annual event would feel left out. It was also intended as a tribute to his late brother, Greg, who was known for his grandiose Christmas displays and devotion to Sparrow Clubs. "We just got to thinking there are a lot of kids going to the mall who can't stand in line, and even if they do stand in line they can't get up close and sit right next to him," Mills said. "We wanted a way for the kids to have very little wait and to be able to be next to Santa instead of at a distance because they were in a wheelchair." Mills enlisted the skills of Airport Chevrolet maintenance man Johnny Duclos, who allegedly moonlights in a magical sleigh building, to create his vision. Duclos couldn't refuse. "I've been in construction my whole life, but this was a little different. He asked if I wanted to try making it, so I said sure and just freehanded on some plywood, and it turned out pretty good," he said. "I mean, it's not every day you get asked to build a Santa sleigh." Mills delivered the sleigh to his and his brother's alma mater, St. Mary's, for art students to add a magic touch. St. Mary's art teacher Tia McKenzie felt the same as Duclos. "I don't think anyone can really turn down a request to paint Santa's sleigh," she said. "And the students are so in the mode of community service that they never say no when they get the opportunity to help someone in the community. When they heard it was Santa's sleigh, they were immediately excited about it." Senior Kenzie Addington mirrored her teacher's sentiments. "It was just a chance of a lifetime," she said. "Obviously it was really fun for us, just painting and hanging out and doing this big of a project. But it was really cool that we got to do this for something bigger, to help our community." After gallons of red paint were applied, those 80-some local kids got to visit Santa with the same ease as anybody else. Butte Falls resident Blair Anderson said his son, Carter, offered his own seal of approval. "It was just great. I think it was just wonderful that Airport Chevrolet took the time and had their employees take the time to go the extra mile," Anderson said. "The event was really low key, special-needs friendly, and just a really happy time. I don't think the event could have been more perfect. Even the Santa — I think he was the real deal." Mills, who said his late brother would have smiled at the finished product, said Airport Chevrolet will display the sleigh for people to see at its dealership, 3001 Biddle Road, through the holiday season. — Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected].