Spirit of Good Cheer
COVID-19 Update
Every year, pilots transport Christmas presents from Oakland County International Airport to airports across Michigan for our annual Spirit of Good Cheer flight.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, distribution via air travel has been cancelled. Gifts will be delivered across the state by trucks.
We give thanks to the pilots who have aided us in our mission to brighten the holidays for thousands of children and families in Michigan over the years.
For more information, please review our letter to registered pilots here.
Pilot Elves 2004 © CFSM
Loading Santa's Plan © 2011 CFSM
Pilots share their volunteer experience in AOPA Pilot's Dec. 2008 issue. "Well before the first light of dawn had begun to give any hint of warmth to the world, the first arrivals were being sequenced down final, landing lights ablaze in the frigid air. Every minute or two, a piston twin or fast single would exit the runway at Michigan's Pontiac-Oakland County International..."
Thank you for your interest in Operation Good Cheer!
"Spirit of Good Cheer Elves Take to the Sky" © 2010 CFSM
Ground Support
In our endeavor to brighten the holidays for thousands of infants, children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities, we are looking for volunteers to assist us during our 2019 Spirit of Good Cheer flight weekend. If you are able to help on either Friday, December 6, 2019, or Saturday December 7, 2019, please complete our Ground Crew Application.
For additional information, please contact Operation Good Cheer headquarters at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 517.349.6226.
"Saturday Loading" © 2012 CFSM
Friday, December 6, 2019
Volunteers are needed 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to help unload (from ground transport vehicles) close to 20,000 wrapped and bagged Christmas presents. Once gifts are unloaded they need to be inspected and sorted by agency code (due to confidentiality, all recipients are assigned a code letter and number). All volunteers should report to Pentastar Aviation West of the Oakland County International Airport control tower (Click here for a map). From there you will be directed to your assigned work area. You will be asked to sign in upon arrival. Please see location map for driving directions.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Volunteers are needed 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (possibly later depending on weather) to help load (onto small aircraft and trucks) close to 20,000 wrapped and bagged Christmas presents. All volunteers should report to Pentastar Aviation West of the Oakland County International Airport control tower (Click here for a map). From there you will be directed to your assigned work area. You will be required to sign in upon arrival. Please see location map for driving directions.
Thank you to Pentastar Aviation for their participation in Operation Good Cheer!
In accordance with the Michigan Adoption Code, State Office staff responds to requests for identifying and non-identifying information from adult adoptees and former family members.
Confidential Intermediaries are individuals with specific training in post-adoption services, and are appointed to conduct searches for former family members, or adult adoptees, on behalf of a petitioner.
An entirely volunteer Christmas gift-giving program, sponsored and coordinated by CFSM, Inc. State Office, began in 1971 by individuals who wanted to make a difference in the lives of children who reside in foster care.
