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Update: Here Comes Santa Claus For A Good Cause

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Update at 12:15 p.m.: As Santa arrived without a hitch to greet over a hundred cheering kids waiting for his helicopter to touch down at Standard Park, the 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive was setting a new record for coat donations.

To view Santa breezing in and setting his boots onto the ballfield to welcoming shouts, click here.

Well over 1,100 coats were counted early in the 11 a.m. hour as Santa was landing. At 12:15 the number had risen to over 1,200. Those unable to make the event are encouraged to bring new or gently used coats to Interfaith Community Social Services (18500 Striker Court, off Tuolumne Road West of Standard Road, Sonora) weekdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

To view photos and video from this morning’s event, click into the image box slide show and/or video.

Original Post at 8:01 a.m.: Sonora, CA — Grab the kids and head to Sonora’s Standard Park to see Santa fly-in — not on a sleigh but a helicopter.

The public can help others by bringing new or gently used coats to donate and girls and boys can sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. Star 92.7 and 93.5 KKBN will air the event live. The Santa Fly-in and coat drive runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

Additionally, the on-air Clarke Broadcasting’s Interfaith Cash Drive set a record on Friday rising over $102,000 thanks to the outpouring of community giving and a match by Chicken Ranch Rancheria. In the continuing tradition of giving that Tuolumne County is known for, around $51,000 poured in and as promised Tribal Chair Lloyd Mathiesen announced that figure would be matched dollar for dollar by the Chicken Ranch Rancheria, bringing the total to over $102,000.

Cash donations can still be made by clicking here or going to the homepage of myMotherlode.com and clicking on the donation tab at the top of the page.

  • 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive helpers watch St. Nick arrive
  • Kids waiting for St. Nick to arrive at 2017 Santa Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • St. Nick's throne and greeting area at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • Star 92-7 host Maryann Curmi at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive
  • Young donor brings new jackets to 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive
  • Knit unicorn candy cane giveaways for young donors to the 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • Kids enjoying goodies at 2017 Santa Fly-in and Interfaith Coast Drive
  • KVML's Mark Truppner with kids getting candy canes at 2017 Santa Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • Sonora High Varsity Baseball Coach Chet and Clarke Broadcasting's Jennifer Teem at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • Family day at 2017 Santa Fly-in and INterfaith Coat Drive
  • Monique Mark Truppner and Clarke Broadcasting's Larry England at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • Collecting and counting coat donations at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • Black Oak Casino van pulls away after making coat donations to 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive at Santa Fly-in
  • 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in Welcome sign
  • Star 92.7 host Mark Grauer and Cathie Peacock of Interfaith at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • KKBN hosts Big Joe and Bridgette at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • Explorers and other helpers at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • Helpers at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • Interfaith volunteers at 2017 Interfaith Coat Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • Interfaith volunteers at 2017 Coast Drive and Santa Fly-in
  • St. Nick smooches Mrs. Claus at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • St. Nick and Mrs. Claus at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • St. Nick waving at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • Mrs. Claus and helpers at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • Clarke Broadcasting's Karen Jensen and Maryann Curmi at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • St. Nick greets kids before settling in at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • St. Nick gives high-fives at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • Crowd gathers to watch Santa come in by helicopter at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
  • St. Nick arrives at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive in Standard Park Sonora
  • St. Nick takes first guest on his knee at 2017 Santa-Fly-in and Interfaith Coat Drive
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