JFK Airport welcomes Community Mayors
Holiday event exciting thousands of kids
PHOTOPAGE BY JEFF YAPALATER
The DHL Operations Holiday
Cheer 2019 was another great success.
DHL teamed up with Dee’s Nursery
and the area community to donate and
deliver 500 Christmas trees and thousands
of holiday letters, menorahs,
decorations and gifts to U.S. military
personnel serving abroad in Iraq,
Afghanistan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Thankful supporters included VFW
groups, law enforcement units, Goldstar
and military families, religious
organizations and friends including
a visit from Santa with entertainment
by the USO Show Troupe. The holiday
event has been a traditional salute to
the troops which began in 2004.
Dee’s Nursery again took front
place in supplying the trees from
their farm in Maine with trucking
The team from Global Elite Security providing the sugar of the spice for the holidays. Community Major Ken Honig with Angelo and Anthony, sons of long time event supporter.
AIRPORT V 26 OICE, JANUARY 2020
and person power to lead the holiday
procession from the Oceanside nursery
to the DHL Gateway facility at
JFK Airport.
The awaiting holiday adorned
DHL air cargo freighter was filled
with gifts for the overseas military
men and women with helping hand
from the USO Show Troop who brightened
up the day with great songs and
routines and helping load a tree onto
the plane. One Vietnam veteran spoke
on behalf of many who returned home
to a cold reception by a divided nation
decades ago but acknowledged the
healing and love that is now given to
our military who have done so much
to protect and serve the country. This
mood was felt by all who attended the
DHL/Dee’s event and warmed the otherwise
winter air.
Santa's helpers,The Downtown Dames, liven up the event
with favorite seasonal songs.
Community Mayors (Left) and President Shelley Della
Rocca Aprea with happy child joined by her family.
Some of the thousands of kids from special education
schools in Queens out for a Santa-bration.