Julemand Festival a success

Published Dec. 18, 2006
By Capt. Elizabeth Paul
821st Air Base Group Public Affairs

THULE AB, Greenland -- Thule Air Base held its annual Julemand Festival Nov 25 raising more than $5,520.

Operation Julemand - Julemand is the Danish word for Santa Claus - is an ongoing annual base fundraiser that benefits approximately 250 children in Qaanaaq, a municipality of about 900 people located 75 miles northwest of the base.

"The funds raised for Operation Julemand are used to buy Christmas gifts for the children in the Qaanaaq municipality as well as monetary support for a Youth Center and an home for the elderly in Qaanaaq," said Chaplain (Capt.) David Zavala, Julemand organizer.

Operation Julemand also provides cash donation to various international charities on behalf of the base. Past charities benefiting from donations are the Ronald McDonald House, which supports families of children with life threatening illnesses, and Fulton Stiftelsen, a Danish sail boat that doubles as a school for troubled youth.

Members of the Thule community form an Operation Julemand Committee and are responsible for the year-long fundraising effort, purchasing gifts for the children, wrapping the presents, the annual tree lighting event and the culmination, the Julemand Festival. This year's donations totaled more than $11,600 raised through the annual Julemand Festival, coin drops at various base locations, individual cash donations, including $1,500 raised by Airman 1st Class Dashun Carter who was sponsored by Thule members for his 'Run for Julemand' during the annual Thule Marathon in August.

Julemand Festival 2006 was a little different this year as it was held in multiple locations on base. The day began with several events at the Fitness and Sports Center including a rowing competition, fast pitch baseball, football and basketball free throw competitions, a balancing ball competition, a spinning marathon, and massages. The events at the FSC raised $217.

The Community Center and Heritage Hall were open in the afternoon for more activities. The Thule Heritage Hall event featured a movie called the "Thule Accident" and a tour raising $165 for Operation Julemand. The Community Center hosted a variety of events including a Danish Billiards tournament, a Texas Hold-em' tournament, the longest drive competition, a community canvas painting, the Thule Diamond Chili Cook-Off, and of course food booths.

The ever popular Jail and Bail was also held at the Community Center with 45 people being "sent" to jail raising $475. The afternoon ended with the crowd drawing auction and pie-in-the-face event. About $4,200 was raised at the Community Center.

The day concluded with a new event, Thule Idol. Nine people tried their luck and vocal cords singing Karaoke for the coveted title of Thule Idol. The event raised more than $900 rounding out the Julemand Festival.

"Thank you to all who donated to, volunteered for and participated in this year's OPERATION Julemand," said Capt. Zavala. "Your fund-raising efforts have been a huge success far exceeding the amount needed." Although the Julemand committee has already raised about $11,600 this year, additional donations will be collected through June.

Operation Julemand was first started in 1959 when base service officer Capt. John McTamney, and Airman 1st Class Delbert Cox, a clerk, decided that as long as they could not be at home with their own children, they would bring a little happiness to the children in the local area.

Operation Julemand culminates with a gift exchange at the Qaanaaq Youth Center in late December with a traditional Christmas celebration.

Operation Julemand a success