EDITOR: Our 29-year tradition of bringing the Magic of Christmas
to the young, and young at heart, is now under way. As usual, in
addition to spreading goodwill and holiday cheer, we will also be
handing out toys, candy canes and plenty of
“Ho Ho Ho’s. The Magic ship is run as a community service
project by the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 799.
EDITOR:
Our 29-year tradition of bringing the Magic of Christmas to the young, and young at heart, is now under way. As usual, in addition to spreading goodwill and holiday cheer, we will also be handing out toys, candy canes and plenty of “Ho Ho Ho’s. The Magic ship is run as a community service project by the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 799.
The tradition began 29 years ago when the troop was given a Studebaker that had been modified into a parade float shaped like a ship. The troop’s Scoutmaster, the late John Espinoza, had been growing a beard, and some of the Scouts mentioned that he looked “just like Santa.” He was encouraged to “don the disguise” and the Scouts agreed to fill in for the elves, and thus was born the Magic Ship of Christmas. From that day to this the ship has been visiting neighborhoods, businesses, schools, day care centers, rest homes and the Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade.
Each year as Morgan Hill has grown larger, many people have come to believe that part of the charm of Morgan Hill is some of the small town traditions that are practiced here. The Magic Ship is just such a tradition. There are members of the Morgan Hill community who visited the Magic Ship as children who now bring their children to visit Santa on that same ship.
The Magic Ship is run by volunteers who order the toys, stock the ship, and do basic maintenance such as putting on brakes, tires and installing a new clutch every other year. We are able to purchase the supplies the ship needs and keep the “magic alive” through the generosity of local residents and businesses.
If you would like Santa and the Magic Ship to visit your Christmas party, please call me at 779-3004 before 9 p.m. We will provide Santa, the toys and candy canes. If you wish to have a picture of your child with Santa, we will provide one for a nominal fee.
Thank you for your support of Santa, The Magic Ship, and the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 799. Yours in Scouting and Christmas spirit.
Neva Peterson, Morgan Hill
