Operation Santa Claus returns to its origins

ST. MARY'S, Alaska -- Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus wave as they exit an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 here Dec. 5, 2015. The Clauses were here as part of Operation Santa Claus, a nonprofit organization partnered with the Alaska National Guard to collect toys, school supplies and food staples and deliver them to school children in Alaska's remote communities. This mission was the second and final Op Santa mission of 2015. St. Mary's was the site of the original Operation Santa Claus in 1957. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. John Callahan/ Released)

Merry Mary in Southwest Alaska

ST. MARY'S, Alaska -- Military members and volunteers from approximately 30 groups and organizations came together to bring holiday cheer to St. Mary's, Alaska, Dec. 5, 2015, during Operation Santa Claus. This mission was the second and final Op Santa mission of 2015. St. Mary's was the site of the original Operation Santa Claus in 1957. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. N. Alicia Halla/ Released)

Operation Santa Claus 2009 - Gambell

Mrs. Santa gives a goodbye hug to a Gambell child after a Dec. 19, 2009 visit to the Gambell Public School. The Alaska Air and Army National Guard visited the village on remote Bering Sea island of St. Lawrence with Santa and a group of civilian volunteers as part of Operation Santa Claus. Now in its 53rd year, Operation Santa Claus is a program of the Alaska National Guard to bring toys, food, supplies and Christmas cheer to isolated villages around the state. Alaska Air National Guard photo by 1st. Lt. John Callahan.

Operation Santa Claus 2009 - Gambell

Santa bids goodbye to Gambell children after a visit to the Gambell Public School on Dec. 16, 2009. The Alaska Air and Army National Guard visited Gambell, on remote St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, with Santa and a group of civilian volunteers as part of Operation Santa Claus. Now in its 53rd year, Operation Santa Claus is a program of the Alaska National Guard to bring toys, food, supplies and Christmas cheer to isolated villages around the state. Alaska Air National Guard photo by 1st. Lt. John Callahan.

Operation Santa Claus 2009 - Gambell

Rich Owens, owner of the Alaska Tastee-Freez restaurant and an Operation Santa Claus volunteer, offers free ice cream to Patty Matuklook and her grandson Raphael, 11. A long-time supporter of the Alaska National Guard, Rich is known unofficially as commander of the 176th Ice Cream Squadron. The Alaska Air and Army National Guard were in Gambell, on remote St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, with a group of civilian volunteers on Dec. 16, 2009 as part of Operation Santa Claus. Now in its 53rd year, Operation Santa Claus is a program of the Alaska National Guard to bring toys, food, supplies and Christmas cheer to isolated villages around the state. Alaska Air National Guard photo by 1st. Lt. John Callahan.

Operation Santa Claus 2009 - Gambell

Santa offers a candy cane to Gambell resident Erin Apangalook, age 2. The Alaska Air and Army National Guard were in Gambell, on remote St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, with a group of civilian volunteers on Dec. 16, 2009 as part of Operation Santa Claus. Now in its 53rd year, Operation Santa Claus is a program of the Alaska National Guard to bring toys, food, supplies and Christmas cheer to isolated villages around the state. Alaska Air National Guard photo by 1st. Lt. John Callahan.