Tony Zazza, Host of Cumulus Media’s regionally syndicated morning show “Zazza Mornings”, Elite Airways and The Zazza Community Foundation transported local families in need to a Winter Wonderland through its annual Jingle Jet™ program. Jingle Jet helps local families who have been met with undue hardships throughout the year. “Zazza Mornings” enjoined its listeners in Melbourne, FL, Mobile, AL, and Ft. Walton Beach/Destin, FL, to nominate deserving families in need through an online nomination process. 10 families were selected and participated in this year’s Jingle Jet trip to a happier holiday season.

On Wednesday, December 8th, the families were picked up in limousines from Hot Rayz Limousines and escorted to the Jingle Jet Terminal, where they were greeted with a red-carpet arrival. They checked in and got boarding passes, Santa hats, light-up Christmas necklaces and stuffed animal travel companions before having breakfast and writing letters to Santa. After breakfast the families boarded an Elite Airways CRJ-700 – deemed “Jingle Jet” – and took a real-life flight to the North Pole (a hangar converted into a Winter Wonderland). When the plane touched down, they were welcomed by Santa and Mrs. Claus into a Winter Wonderland, where each family found a decorated Christmas tree with presents underneath from their needs and wants list. They also enjoyed a delicious holiday meal from Wassi’s Meat Market, and a photo booth, face painting and a cookies and milk reading of the Christmas classic, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”.

Tony Zazza recounts: “We chased Santa’s sleigh while in flight, sang carols, then at the North Pole we had falling snow and a snowball fight, which was a first!” Zazza added: “Knowing what these families have been through over the last year and seeing the smiles and the tears reminds us how delicate life is. And if even just for a day, or even a moment, they were able to escape the heartache and pain and enjoy some quality family time and make memories that will last a lifetime, that’s a very good thing.

Thanks to our community and partner support, once again Hope Took Flight with Jingle Jet 2021!”
“Zazza Mornings” broadcasts weekday mornings from home station 107.1 WA1A in Melbourne, FL and is also heard on 97.5 WABD (Mobile, AL) and Z96 (Ft. Walton Beach/Destin, FL). Host Tony Zazza, Founder and President of the Board of Directors for The Zazza Community Foundation, created and produced the Jingle Jet project in Dallas, TX, in 2007 and has produced it from Florida since 2015. The Zazza Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information, visit www.jinglejet.com.