Holiday tales: Pipeline people bring holiday joy, Santa to communities

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Santa delivers gifts, sweets and presents to Yukon neighbors

When Santa and his helpers arrived in a helicopter in Rampart earlier this month, they brought enough presents, baked goods and fresh fruit, and festive fun to fill the community's Tribal Hall with joy.

It was just another edition of the seasonal tradition of Alyeska and contractors sharing holiday cheer with the community of Rampart, which neighbors TAPS Yukon Response Base (YRB), formerly Pump Station 6.

The delivery team included Mark Steinman, Shop Foreman who dressed up as Santa; Lisa Kangas, PS 5/Fairbanks Environmental Coordinator, who dressed as Santa's elf; Phil Huelskoetter, YRB CMC; Grace Keller, Corporate Communications intern; Patty Miller; and Maritime's John Slezak and Christopher Zareefeh. Maritime Helicopters carried the crew and all the goodies to Rampart on Dec. 19.

"Beyond work, our relationship with Rampart is important to Alyeska and to me," said Huelskoetter. "It's awesome to be able to celebrate that. I can't think of a better time than Christmas to come together and celebrate partnership, friendship and community."
Alyeska and community members from Rampart, a rural community neighboring YRB, have maintained a special partnership since 1995 through Alyeska's Emergency Response Program. Through years of work and training along the Yukon River, friendships and a deeper connection were made.

An annual, Alyeska employee-led tradition that benefits our Rampart neighbors began years ago and continues today: each holiday season, YRB and Fairbanks workers purchase, wrap and then deliver presents and baked goods to Rampart kids and their families.

This year's planning team coordinated several tasks. championed by Melinda Andon, O&M Coordinator. From fundraising to fulfilling Rampart kids' wish lists during shopping sessions - it was all made possible from generous donations from Alyeska and TAPS workers. For the first year, kids opened up gifts tailored to wish lists and helpful hints provided by community members, outlining favorite hobbies and interests. Several Fairbanks employees pitched in to wrap gifts and package everything for safe transit to YRB before the special delivery took place with Santa and his elves to Rampart.

In addition to gifts, fresh fruit, veggies and baked goods were gathered and supplied by Patty Miller, NANA Management Services (NMS) Head Chef at YRB. Patty prepared supplies for kids to decorate cookies while they waited their turn to open their presents from Santa. This is her fourth year making treats to send off to the celebration. She said that Christmas on the Yukon has a special place in her heart.

"I wanted to share the joy that Christmas cookie decorating can bring during this season," said Miller. "All it takes are some blank cookies, icing in Christmas colors, and plenty of sprinkles, and we started a new tradition."

In addition to Patty's longtime involvement, NMS generously provided winter hats to add to the festivities and gifts.

This event is special to all volunteers. Ramy Brooks, YRB Civil Maintenance Coordinator (CMC), lends a hand because he believes it's a great way to give back.

"I grew up with the village responders from Rampart and they're now grandparents to these kids," said Brooks. "When you live in rural Alaska, shopping for gifts isn't always accessible. This tradition is making a difference; It's special to watch faces light up in the room while Santa walks through the door."

Accessibility to rural areas in Alaska often requires special modes of transportation. In the winter, Alyeska workers travel to Rampart in a helicopter supported by Maritime Helicopters.

Scroll down to see the Christmas spirit in action - from wrapping gifts to delivering packages to Rampart.

Christmas tree lights up Terminal, charms Valdez

In place since 1979, the original structure was fabricated by Alyeska electrician Bill Oftedal with a hand from his supervisor Lynn McArthur. The tree, created by a wooden pole and fourteen 100-foot strings, featured almost 200 individual 100W light bulbs. Since then, the VMT maintenance team has diligently maintained it; an annual summer maintenance task sends electricians up the hill to swap out burned out bulbs and repair any damage from bears - they enjoy chewing on the cords - employing a 85-foot genie lift to safely hoist workers along the strings of lights.

For the past two summers, the team has been swapping out the old incandescent lights for more energy efficient LED light strings, resulting in a much brighter tree. Technicians also added PVC pipe casings to the bottom 10-feet of strings to protect them from curious bears. This new feature was successful - while TAPS workers noted lots of bear tracks in the mud around the base of the lights, there was no damage.

The tree will be lit until January 10, 2025, when it'll darken … until it shines festively again next year.

Thanks to Alyeska retiree Paula Groundwater for sleuthing the origin of the tree and Marty Aspen for current specs and photos!

Good times with the Grinch (and Santa!) in Valdez

On Dec. 7, the SERVS Emergency Preparedness and Response team welcomed more than 180 kids and community members to their annual holiday movie event. For several years, the group has coordinated the inclusive and cheerful movie matinee, with two showings of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. As usual, Alyeska was the primary sponsor and provided for movies snacks like popcorn and candy, as well as the movie ticket. But the SERVS team - led by Jessica Elder, Angie Fuschetto, Debra Lancaster, Lori Day, and Mel Brewi - made the event a true collaborative effort, bringing in additional sponsors and volunteers. The Valdez Emblem Club baked and donated more than 600 cookies, while Valdez High School Lady Bucs Volleyball Team helped take pictures with Valdez's very own Santa, Bob Harden, and create ornaments and holiday bookmarks. The event got a boost from local agency, Seed Media, which advertised the event on big screens around town.

There were a few Grinches in the audience (literally), but no shortage of smiles and spirit!

Thank you to all who attended and volunteered, helping us to usher in the 2025 holiday season.