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Santa's Hotline activation date set

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Robert J. Mesta
  • 96th Communications Squadron
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  It's Christmas time and the hotline phone rings...one of Santa's helper's - an NCO from the 96th Communications Squadron - answers with, "Hi, I'm Jerry the Elf! Would you like to speak to Santa or Mrs. Claus?" 

Now on the Emerald Coast, whether you were naughty or nice this year, you have an opportunity to place a direct call and make your requests known to the man in the big red suit. 

Currently in its eleventh year running, Santa's Hotline has become a Christmas time tradition for Eglin Air Force Base and the surrounding communities. 

The 96th Communications Squadron will open the hotline this year from Dec. 15 to18, from 5 to 8 p.m. It is open to any and everyone who still believes in Santa Claus and wants to pass on their Christmas wish list. 

Members from the 96th Communications Squadron will be serving as Elves passing on calls to Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Children of all ages can call in with their special requests. Six hotlines will be made available to satisfy their "wish list" needs. The number to call this year is 850-882-NOEL (6635). 

Master Sgt. Kanh Phan is an elf who has worked the hotlines in years past.

"The hotline averages about 200 calls per year from people not just from this area but from all over the world," Sergeant Phan said.  "It is quite a pleasure to do something for someone else, especially around the holidays. It always seems like you get so much more out of it than you put in. I am just proud to be a member of such a fine group of people. It takes a commitment to dedication and sacrifice to make this event a reality every year."

So..... Have you been naughty or nice? What will your kids ask for this year? What would you ask for? Are you a believer? 

Please join the 96th Communications Squadron this year in helping to make a child's holiday wishes come true. 

For those of trying to track the whereabouts of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, NORAD has a real time radar shot of his location. You can view that at www.noradsanta.org
 or call 1-877-HI-NORAD (446-6723) starting at 2 a.m. mountain time Dec. 24 and running through 2 a.m. mountain time  Dec. 25 for both the website and phone lines.