Mike Manclark and MANGIC Foundation Give Santa a Lift to Surprise Children With Gifts

Santa’s sleigh might be the perfect ride for deliveries in America’s snow belt, but for Southern California this year, Santa opted for something a little more hip – and dare we say – a little more Cali: his own, private helicopter. Donated for the day and piloted by the MANGIC Foundation’s Mike Manclark, the helicopter picked up Santa from Costa Mesa Police headquarters where they flew to the Balearic Center Park in Costa Mesa, delighting children of our brave Costa Mesa Police Department of all ages with Holiday gifts, lunch and treats.

The gifts were all donated as part of the Costa Mesa Police Department’s annual toy drive, which provides gifts to the children of the department’s active duty officers. A 25-year tradition, the toy drive procures toys for children of all ages and then distributes them in spectacular fashion to ensure the children of the area’s first responders have a Christmas they’ll remember for years to come.

The MANGIC Foundation has been supporting this amazing event for the past 10 years, and it's an absolute delight to see the reaction we get from the kids and their families as we roar in from above.

Mike Manclark

Children of Costa Mesa all met with parents in the park thinking they were going to have a group lunch. To their surprise, a helicopter approached the park and the children saw a white mitten begin to wave. The children became extremely excited when they realized Santa was landing in the park. Once the helicopter landed safely and Santa exited, the children ran up and greeted Santa with hugs.

With the help of the police and Manclark, presents were set up for multiple tables and lunch was delivered. Santa then spoke with each child one-on-one and gave out gifts. Lunch was served and the children were able to eat with Santa until he got back on the helicopter and flew away. The experience was unique for the children and the gesture was truly appreciated by the parents.

“The MANGIC Foundation has been supporting this amazing event for the past 10 years, and it’s an absolute delight to see the reaction we get from the kids and their families as we roar in from above,” said Mike Manclark, Founder of the MANGIC Foundation and owner/pilot of Santa’s flying limo for the day. “Christmas is a time to make great family memories, and that’s what we’re hoping to achieve by helping Santa out with this event. We want to create a little magic they won’t soon forget. Our police do so much for us and it feels so good to be able to do something for them and their families.”

Launched in 2012 by successful entrepreneur Mike Manclark, the MANGIC Foundation believes in hands-on work that gives people a hand up and making a tangible difference in the lives of those they help. Every year, the MANGIC foundation supports dozens of non-profits and causes that support children, armed forces, and first responders, along with families in need.

For more information on the MANGIC Foundation and how you can get involved, visit www.mangic.com.

Media Contact:
Eric Blankenship
Eric@Netreputation
786-332-6554

Source: MANGIC Foundation