Alaska Airlines partners with U.S. Marines to deliver Toys for Tots

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines, together with the U.S. Marines and Alaska Toys for Tots, is shipping nearly 15,000 pounds of toys across the state of Alaska this holiday season. From Southeast Alaska to the Arctic Circle, this year's shipment marks the largest gathering and delivery of toys for children in the history of the Toys for Tots program in Alaska.

"Alaska Air Cargo is honored to continue our annual partnership with the Marine Corps in the Toys for Tots program," said Jason Berry, Alaska Airlines' managing director for cargo. "It brings us all great joy to know we play a small part in helping deliver toys to children across the entire state of Alaska during the holidays. I couldn't be more proud of the effort the entire Alaska Airlines team puts in to this wonderful program."

Alaska Airlines has supported Alaska Toys for Tots for the last ten years, shipping toys collected in local communities throughout the state of Alaska. Since 2006, Alaska Airlines captain Tom Sharkey has coordinated the shipment from Anchorage to outlying communities.

"This shipment is not only our largest, but it also covers most of the state," said Sharkey. "Many young Alaskans will experience the joy and spirit of Christmas when they receive a toy from Santa."

This year, Alaska Airlines is shipping toys from Anchorage to hubs in Kotzebue, Cordova, Nome, Bethel, and Ketchikan. From there, toys will be distributed locally and to surrounding villages by the U.S. Marines and the Alaska Air National Guard. Toys are also being collected and distributed to children in Anchorage and the surrounding areas.

"Every child near and far deserves a Christmas," said Sgt. Mauricio Sandoval, of the U.S. Marines. "In a state as vast as Alaska, the success of the Toys for Tots program relies heavily on coordination with our partners."

All donations collected for Alaska Toys for Tots directly benefits children in the state of Alaska. The Alaska Marines have sponsored toy drop boxes and toy collecting events throughout the state. For more information on Alaska Toys for Tots, visit facebook.com/aktoysfortots.

Alaska Airlines transports more than 109 million pounds of cargo annually—including seafood, mail and freight —and operates the most extensive air cargo operation on the U.S. West Coast of any passenger airline.

Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32 million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of 970 daily flights throughout the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico and soon Cuba. With Alaska's global airline partners, customers can earn and redeem miles to more than 800 destinations worldwide. Onboard, customers are invited to make the most of their flight with amenities like power outlets at every seat, streaming entertainment direct to your device, Wi-Fi and an inspired food and beverage selection featured on most flights. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine consecutive years from 2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Alaska Airlines is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn more on the airline's newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir, facebook.com/alaskaairlines and linkedin.com/company/alaska-airlines.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines

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