Underprivileged children will receive a special Christmas gift today as
United Airlines employees kick off their annual Holiday Gift Giving
Season. The philanthropic program, now in its sixth year, provides
underprivileged children with a gift that is often the only one they will
receive for Christmas. Gift distribution and a range of holiday
festivities will take place today at United World Headquarters in Elk
Grove Village.

This year, children from the Salvation Army are invited to World
Headquarters—AKA the North Pole—for a holiday of festivities. Upon
landing in the “North Pole” children will be greeted by Santa and Mrs.
Claus, receive holiday presents, and participate in a variety of
activities such as face painting, puppet shows, dancers, and sketch
artists. They will interact with clowns and Santa`s helpers, enjoy holiday
refreshments and sing holiday carols.

To make the program possible, United Airlines partners with the local
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Salvation Army
to identify area children and families who are in need. Then, United
Airlines employees are matched with children`s wish lists to select age
and gender appropriate lists. All gifts are collected at United
headquarters for distribution to the children. Approximately 1800 children
will receive gifts this year.

Holiday Gift Giving is a true holiday tradition at United Airlines that
the children, the community and United employees eagerly anticipate every
year. United employees remain committed to the needs of the community and
have expressed their desire to continue supporting and making a difference
in the lives of others.

United and United Express operate more than 3,400 flights a day on a route
network that spans the globe. News releases and other information about
United can be found at the company`s web site at http://www.united.com/ .

United editorial, based on news release distributed by PR Newswire

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