Colonel Joshua Christian, the pilot of the flight to the North Pole, described the excitement of the children as they prepared for takeoff, saying, "When we get ready to do the takeoff, I can hear the kids screaming over the aircraft engine, so they are pretty excited."At Flight 2025, 31 children took off from Jackson and landed at the North Pole, greeted by volunteers who ensured the experience would be unforgettable.A winter wonderland awaited the children, with elves ready to greet them. Stephanie Tatum, an elf volunteer, said, "It’s just the magic in their faces."Nine-year-old Dillon was the first to step off the aircraft, saying, "I didn’t think I could make it here." His appointed elf, Gumdrop, led him to his gifts from Santa, which included a bike, a drone, and a helmet. Dillon admitted, " I don’t remember the other stuff."This tradition, organized by the Salvation Army and the Mississippi National Guard for 19 years, aims to support those in need. Major Bethany Delaney of the Salvation Army said, "We want to help people who need the help. We don’t want to help people if they have the ability to help themselves — we want to be there for those in need."Volunteer elves like Stephanie Tatum are motivated by the children's reactions. Tatum, who has been making ornaments for the children for 14 years, said, "It’s a physical reminder — something they can put on their tree every year and remember."Although children are only invited to the North Pole once, Dillon hopes for an exception, expressing his desire to return. "Would you ever come back to the North Pole?" he was asked, to which he replied, "Yes."