ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska
Airlines, together with the U.S. Marines and Alaska Toys for Tots,
is shipping nearly 15,000 pounds of toys across the state of
Alaska this holiday season. From
Southeast Alaska to the Arctic
Circle, this year's shipment marks the largest gathering and
delivery of toys for children in the history of the Toys for Tots
program in Alaska.
"Alaska Air Cargo is honored to continue our annual partnership
with the Marine Corps in the Toys for Tots program," said
Jason Berry, Alaska Airlines'
managing director for cargo. "It brings us all great joy to know we
play a small part in helping deliver toys to children across the
entire state of Alaska during the
holidays. I couldn't be more proud of the effort the entire Alaska
Airlines team puts in to this wonderful program."
Alaska Airlines has supported Alaska Toys for Tots for the last
ten years, shipping toys collected in local communities throughout
the state of Alaska. Since 2006,
Alaska Airlines captain Tom Sharkey
has coordinated the shipment from Anchorage to outlying communities.
"This shipment is not only our largest, but it also covers most
of the state," said Sharkey. "Many young Alaskans will experience
the joy and spirit of Christmas when they receive a toy from
Santa."
This year, Alaska Airlines is shipping toys from Anchorage to hubs in Kotzebue, Cordova, Nome, Bethel,
and Ketchikan. From there, toys
will be distributed locally and to surrounding villages by the U.S.
Marines and the Alaska Air National Guard. Toys are also being
collected and distributed to children in Anchorage and the surrounding areas.
"Every child near and far deserves a Christmas," said Sgt.
Mauricio Sandoval, of the U.S.
Marines. "In a state as vast as Alaska, the success of the Toys for Tots
program relies heavily on coordination with our partners."
All donations collected for Alaska Toys for Tots directly
benefits children in the state of Alaska. The Alaska Marines have sponsored toy
drop boxes and toy collecting events throughout the state. For more
information on Alaska Toys for Tots, visit
facebook.com/aktoysfortots.
Alaska Airlines transports more than 109 million pounds of cargo
annually—including seafood, mail and freight —and operates the most
extensive air cargo operation on the U.S. West Coast of any
passenger airline.
Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32
million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of
970 daily flights throughout the United
States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico and
soon Cuba. With Alaska's global airline
partners, customers can earn and redeem miles to more than 800
destinations worldwide. Onboard, customers are invited to make the
most of their flight with amenities like power outlets at every
seat, streaming entertainment direct to your device, Wi-Fi and an
inspired food and beverage selection featured on most flights.
Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among
Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North
American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine consecutive years from
2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in
Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the
J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report for
the last three consecutive years. Alaska Airlines is a subsidiary
of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn more on the
airline's newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir, facebook.com/alaskaairlines and linkedin.com/company/alaska-airlines.
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SOURCE Alaska Airlines