WORDS: Shannon Evans
When families step into Feld Entertainment Studios on a special December day, they walk straight into a winter wonderland. A towering Christmas tree glimmers in the center of the stadium-sized room, next to a forest of evergreens. A working train, big enough to ride, clickety-clacks around the scene. Volunteer elves pass out snacks and smiles. And then Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive, not by sleigh, but atop a rumbling monster truck. Oh, and it’s snowing.
This is Flight to the North Pole, a one-day holiday event which, for the past four decades, has lit up the winter season for Manatee and Sarasota families raising children with life-limiting medical conditions. More than 400 children attend each year, and while the celebration is certainly fun, it offers something far more meaningful: a break from the daily struggles of real life and a chance to connect with others walking a similar path.
“Every December, our family can’t wait for Flight to the North Pole,” says Cynthia Gonzalez, whose son, Cassiel, has cerebral palsy and quadriplegia. “That magical day gives us so much joy, and it lets us forget the daily worries and medical stuff for a while. We get to make the best memories, laughing together and watching Cassiel light up with excitement. Seeing his huge smile reminds me just how much these moments mean to him.”
A Tradition with Wings
Flight to the North Pole began in 1985 when a group of Eastern Airlines flight attendants and Sarasota restaurateur Sidney Ettedgui set out to make a few local kids smile. In those early days, children boarded a plane at SRQ Airport for a short flight, then gathered at the airport’s fire station to meet Santa and to open gifts. When Eastern Airlines shut down, Sidney kept the magic alive.
Sidney’s journey to Sarasota took a few turns. Born in Casablanca and educated in Paris, Switzerland, and Morocco before moving to the U.S., Sidney settled into the restaurant business and, ultimately, a 35-year career with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. That heart for service now fuels his commitment to the foundation he leads today.
Post-9/11 security rules eventually grounded the flight-aspect of Flight to the North Pole, but not the mission. The event remained at the firehouse for years, with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by helicopter to greet delighted families. But it outgrew the space, and today, thanks to Feld Entertainment, the entire North Pole experience fits comfortably indoors.
The event team puts a lot of thought into every detail. Just beyond the studio entrance, a red carpet leads families through an archway of glowing lights while snow falls gently overhead. The elf-volunteers serve popcorn and pastries, and a giant screen plays highlight videos from past years. At the 100-foot-long craft table, kids gather around to work on projects they can take home as keepsakes.
In Santa’s Room, the jolly couple greets each child by name, and Santa hands them a gift bag filled with items from their very own wish list.
“Every bag has their name on it,” Sidney says. “We’ve worked hard to ensure they get exactly what they asked for.”
Hope Beyond the Holidays
For 40 years, Flight to the North Pole has added a dash of holiday magic to real life, but one day of wonder per year doesn’t erase the heavy realities these families face. Many are navigating serious medical diagnoses, exhausting schedules, and financial strain that never lets up. Some are single parents. Others are grandparents unexpectedly stepping in to help.
Thankfully, Flight to the North Pole is also a foundation that supports families all year long. The foundation might pay rent or utility bills, or it helps with costs related to transportation, equipment, and home modifications.
“This amazing organization has changed our lives in so many ways,” Cynthia Gonzalez says. “They’re there for us all year, not just at Christmas. They’ve been a steady source of support and community through every part of my son’s journey. Their help has made a huge difference, and we’re forever grateful for all the joy and love they bring to our family.”
Cynthia’s story is just one glimpse into how much this support means. For some, the challenges run even deeper than most people can imagine. A few families have not just one, but two or three children with complex needs—because the parents chose to adopt them into a safe and loving home.
“It takes incredible people to do that, to choose that,” Sidney says. “They give up so much of their own lives to make sure these kids have everything they need. It’s just amazing.”
Santa’s Helpers
What’s also amazing is that no one on the Flight to the North Pole team draws a paycheck. Volunteers wrap presents, serve food, and track down wish list items. Deputies show up in full holiday spirit. And local businesses pitch in at other fundraising events throughout the year.
“Without the fundraisers, especially the annual car show we do, we couldn’t pull off the December event,” Sidney says. “I’m so lucky to have good people in the community who step up year after year. Ferrari Drivers SRQ and Sage Auto Studios, for example, are some of our biggest supporters, and they make a huge difference to what we can accomplish.”
Though many offer to help at the December event, Sidney explains that volunteer numbers are intentionally limited to keep the day running smoothly. “Too many volunteers can make it chaotic,” he says. “What we really need are donations: Walmart and gas station gift cards, or financial contributions that help us cover the families’ real expenses, like utility bills and rent.”
One initiative, Santa’s Workshop, allows businesses to donate products or services to be sold online, with proceeds supporting the foundation’s mission. “If you can’t give money, maybe you can offer something someone else would buy,” Sidney says.
If you’ve never heard of Flight to the North Pole, that’s because it has never sought media attention. It quietly gets the job done while protecting the privacy of the families it serves. And those families have, in a way, become one big family. Some children return later as volunteers for the Christmas event. Some keep in touch for years. And if some are unable to return, they leave behind powerful memories.
The Best Gift
The monster truck and evergreens, the twinkling lights, and snow—they all help build a North Pole fantasy. But the moments that stay with Sidney and his team often come later. A note of thanks, a photo on the fridge, a conversation remembered years afterwards.
Every year, the team loses two or three children from the guest list. It’s an emotional weight they carry. “They’ll be with us for years, then we’ll get the call that they’re gone,” Sidney says. “It’s never easy.”
But throughout Sidney’s work with this foundation, joy outweighs the grief. Children literally count down the days until December’s event. Some spend the year crafting handmade cards with crayon drawings and carefully written thank-you notes, and Sidney has kept every single one.
“All of those things are so precious to me,” he says. “That’s what makes everything we do worth it.”
Flight to the North Pole wraps its arms around families for one unforgettable day, but it’s also a warm, compassionate hug that lasts all year. And for everyone involved, the impact lasts a lifetime.
If you would like to donate to Flight to the North Pole and help bring comfort, dignity, and joy to local families facing unimaginable challenges, visit www.flighttothenorthpole.org and click Be a Hero.
