WestJet's 2019 Christmas "Miracle" Highlights Real Acts of Giving And Receiving
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Every holiday season, Canada's WestJet airlines finds a unique way to bring Christmas cheer to hundreds of unsuspecting families. Past "miracles" have included surprising weary travelers with iPods, fulfilling extravagant Christmas wishes from passengers aboard two late-night flights, and reuniting loved ones living in different countries for the holidays. In 2019, the company decided to let customers determine if they wanted to keep the generous gift being offered to them or donate it to a family in need.
WestJet's 2019 Christmas "miracle" event took place earlier this month inside a massive blue Santa hat-shaped tent set up in a busy holiday market in Toronto, Canada. Upon entering, visitors found a winter wonderland complete with free hot cocoa, a giant snow globe, snow, and Christmas trees. As families were exploring, a blue Santa hologram suddenly appeared on the horizon. After greeting each of them by name, he encouraged them to pick one of the several gift boxes placed under the trees.
As soon as the visitor picked a box, its contents — which ranged from two round trip tickets to Europe to a weeklong beach vacation — were displayed on the screen. Santa then asked the excited recipients if they wished to keep the gifts or donate them to families at the Ronald McDonald House. As visitors pondered over their decision, an animated Ebeniza Scrooge (the lone descendant of Ebenezer Scrooge, according to WestJet) hologram popped up to try to convince them to keep their gift.
Visitors who decided to donate their presents had another surprise in store for them — an invite to spend a day with the children and their families at the local Ronald McDonald House. The special Christmas celebration included, among other things, a generous, real-life blue Santa who insisted they keep the presents he gave them.
Just like in previous years, the company shared a tear-jerking video from the events on YouTube on December 9, 2019. As Richard Bartrem, WestJet vice-president, Marketing Communications, succinctly said, “The conversation around giving and receiving is a powerful one, and this year’s video finds inspiration in both sides of the story. The authentic reactions and emotions made possible through these acts make this year’s Christmas Miracle truly heartwarming."
Resources: westjet.com,globalnewswire.com
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146 Comments
getitgirlabout 5 yearsOMG I'm crying 😭
lpsbrooklyn13about 5 yearsMerry Christmas to all my amazing followers!! Follow me if you love Christmas as much as possible!!!!!!!😘
houghjakeabout 5 yearsI would probably keep it. It matters what it is though. Tell me in the comments
fate34about 5 yearsTo me it does not matter what it is,those people deserve it. They are going through a lot.😔
mayadream15almost 5 yearsi would donate it for that reason- fate34about 5 yearsI wouldn't want to be selfish.
hensleyaudreyabout 5 yearsnow houghJake it would be nice to keep it but think about it. Out of all the many blessings God has given you. One vacation doesn't compare.The parents and children barely get the opportunity to go on any because of the things that they have. I'm not trying to argue or start a debate but i'm just saying that I would donate. Merry Christmas!- mayadream15almost 5 yearsso true
slytherin_loverabout 5 yearsWould you keep it or donate it? Tell me in the comments below!- hensleyaudreyabout 5 yearsDonate
- lpsbrooklyn13about 5 yearsI would also donate!!😉
- fate34about 5 yearsI would donate it.🎅💕
magnoliawolfabout 5 yearsMe Too I would donate it to Ronald McDonald families and this video is so sweeeeet 😭😍 happy cries- fate34about 5 yearsYes they really need it. They are going through a lot
- mayadream15almost 5 yearsi would donate
therandomasianabout 5 yearsWow. This news is truly mesmerizing. As they say that was a Christmas joy
am-olm1about 5 yearsYep! Totally!- magnoliawolfabout 5 yearsI always do my middle name is Joy (for real)
stromchaser32about 5 yearsThis is awesome! I would have chosen donate, I don't really like flying anyway. :P- fate34about 5 yearsWhy not? One time I took a flying lesson and I got to fly a little crop duster alone. It was fun☺
raulito989about 5 yearsThat is so cool :)- am-olm1about 5 yearsI wish I could be there!
- am-olm1about 5 yearsThat is such a cool thing!
ash137about 5 yearsThat's cool 😎
