TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. — If you see a makeshift sleigh in the sky above Tunkhannock next week, don't check your calendar.
Santa isn't coming early, but his daredevil counterpart is.
"This is called a trike-powered paraglider. You got all the bells and whistles along with the lights. It even has a train horn," said Patrick Sekely of Meshoppen.
The week leading up to Christmas, Sekely will take flight above the Tunkhannock area, dropping toys attached to parachutes to the kids waiting below at Skyhaven Airport.
"It's heartwarming, honestly, especially the aftermath of the photos with the little ones holding up the presents that they got," said Sekely.
Even Santa's helpers have helpers. The sleigh isn't powered by reindeer. It's powered by wind and by Steve.
"Basically, all you would do is just start running forward, and as you do, the wind comes up over your head, and once it is hit the throttle right here, and you just run into the sky, that's it," said Steve English of Duryea.
This Santa-elf duo didn't meet at the North Pole. They met through powered paragliding. Sekely's pilot friend introduced him to the sport.
"As soon as I seen him fly over my head, I knew I was hooked," added Sekely. "I went for my training, and I've been flying five years ever since, and it's honestly we call it, we have nicknames. We call it our sky therapy."
"I found out about his little Santa flying, and I saw what it did for the community. It brings everybody together. You see the lights in the kids' eyes, and I just knew I had to be part of it," added English.
This year, Sekely is also collecting donations for the Alzheimer's Association.
He said, "It runs in my side of the family, and I know others that personally struggle with it."
The big flight is scheduled for December 17, weather permitting, about two hours before sunset.
There will be activities for the kids beginning at noon here at the airport.
Once the holiday season is through, Sekely will take on his other persona with more events throughout the year, including the 4th of July.
He said, "We call him Pat Poppins for a reason he brings joy to the community through flight."
To follow his updates on the flight timing, click here.