Each of the past six years a generous group of people has organized "Fantasy Flight to the North Pole" for some lucky children. The Silver Liners, a group of retired flight attendants, U. S. Air at LaGuardia Airport and the folks at Schneider's Children's Hospital Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology department team up to bring about this event.

On a recent Saturday morning in New Hyde Park, dozens of young cancer patients arrived by bus, courtesy of Pierce Country Day School buses, at the U. S. Shuttle Terminal. They went through security, were given boarding passes and were then escorted on the plane by Rudolph, elves and a huge snowman.

Once on board the children, who for the most part are undergoing life-saving cancer treatment, received holiday beverages and snacks while the aircraft taxied about the airport property. After a 45-minute ride the children arrived at another terminal and were greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus in their workshop. They were then taken to a terminal totally transformed into the North Pole, with the Long Island Banjo Society band merrily strumming holiday tune after holiday tune, complimented by a magical clown performing dozens of amazing tricks.

A delicious lunch was waiting for the children along with gifts from Santa. This was brough about through the generosity of many who donated time, talent and products.

The movers and shakers of the very unique day include Richard Galante, case social worker for the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit, along with Nicole Borcikowski, a child life specialist, of the Child Life Department, along with U. S. Air Coordinator Michael Cashier and his assistant Denise Flannery.

Cashier said that the planning of the event starts in October working with the Silver Liners, U. S. Air, The Port Authority and the airport vendors, who helped to obtain the food via various donations and of course Schneider's Hospital, who identifies the children in the Oncology Division able to participate in the program.

Some of the many sponsors of the event include: Silver Liners, Antun's, Mack Management, Beaney Packing, Bloomingdale's, Roosevelt Field, Control Clean, Pepsico, ERTL, Everything Yogurt, First Union Bank, Gunn, New York Police Department, Wok in Roll, Hudson Fuel, Huntington Lions, Pape Chevrolet, Long Island Banjo Society, McDonald's Natural Science, Port Authority, Price, Stern and Sloan, The Bag Lady, Sbarros, Snapple, Van Bourgondies, Tony, USA, Pierce Country Day School and U. S. Airway Shuttle Express.