[ti:COVID-19 Limits ‘Operation Santa Claus' in Alaska] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]COVID-19 is changing the way Americans plan to celebrate the winter holidays this year. [00:08.48]But, in Alaska, the National Guard found a way to carry out a beloved Christmas tradition [00:15.80]for several distant Native American communities. [00:20.64]An Alaska National Guard helicopter recently landed on a frozen field [00:26.84]in Stevens Village, home to about 30 people. [00:32.56]Townspeople hurried to the landing field after seeing the helicopter land. [00:39.08]They watched as the soldiers unloaded boxes [00:43.04]containing gifts for almost everyone in the community. [00:48.72]Then the helicopter flew away. [00:52.28]The yearly National Guard gift transport known as “Operation Santa Claus,” began in 1956. [01:02.44]This year, the operation required some new safety measures. [01:08.44]“For 65 years we have not missed a beat,” said Chief Winfield Hinkley, Jr., [01:15.48]the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Alaska National Guard. [01:21.80]He admitted that COVID-19 presented difficulty for Operation Santa Claus. [01:28.24]But, he added, “it will not stop us from carrying out this tradition. It is an honor to do it.” [01:37.80]In 1956, the remote Alaskan village of St. Mary's [01:42.64]suffered periods of severe flooding and severe dryness. [01:48.56]The townspeople faced a hard choice in the Christmas season: [01:53.36]whether to provide food for St. Mary's or gifts for its children. [02:00.60]The town chose food. [02:03.60]Then, the Alaska Air National Guard stepped in. [02:09.00]The service brought donated gifts and supplies to the community. [02:15.16]Since then, the program has grown. [02:18.44]In 1969, The Salvation Army became a partner in providing playthings [02:25.00]and more to children across rural Alaska. [02:30.60]Each year, Operation Santa Claus attempts to get gifts [02:34.88]to two or three villages that are chosen for different reasons. [02:39.72]One village might have had a special hardship during the year. [02:45.20]Another might have high poverty levels. [02:48.92]Operation Santa Claus has provided for more than 90 villages [02:54.20]since its beginning in St. Mary's. [02:57.80]Stevens Village and two others, Birch Creek and Nanwalek, [03:03.20]were chosen this year for the first time. [03:08.16]Volunteers packed playthings, backpacks, warm hats, [03:13.52]teeth cleaning supplies and books for 127 children. [03:20.72]In a normal year, the arrival of Operation Santa Claus is a community event. [03:28.16]People dress as the holiday characters Santa and Mrs. Claus, and their helpers. [03:35.84]They celebrate with a party held at the local school building. [03:41.16]All the townspeople are invited to have their photos taken with Santa [03:46.36]and eat sweet treats. [03:49.80]Gifts are handed out to children. [03:53.40]But this year, COVID-19 safety rules required that the gifts be left at the landing field. [04:02.08]Stevens Village First Chief David Kriska [04:05.64]said having the National Guard choose the town was cheering. [04:11.32]“It was great because just being so locked down and with travel, you know, [04:16.64]so out of touch with the outside world.” [04:21.08]However, Kriska wishes it could have been the full experience, [04:25.32]including having his own children enjoy a visit with Santa. [04:31.88]He said, “It would have been great for my kids to interact with them [04:36.92]because they're needing that social interaction. [04:40.04]I would have loved to have that picture with my daughters.” [04:45.64]I'm Jonathan Evans. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM