Southwest Airlines Christmas Party in Omaha

January 12TH, coincidentally my sister-in-law Susan's birthday, was the date of our company holiday party. We always hold it after the new year simply because the rental facilities around town have dropped the prices. It was a simply affair. And of course not all the employees are able to attend these functions. Planes are still flying....someone has to work them! And there are always those whom are either sick or already had other events planned before knowing the date of our party. We still had a good turn out.

We held it at a place that will cook for us but yet we get to bring in our own beverages, music, games, etc. Me being the treasurer of our station Culture Committee, I had been out and bought all the alcohol for the party. Early Saturday morning, I met a ramp supervisor at the party place where we carried all the supplies inside. Including but not limited to: about 20- 10 pound bags of ice, soda, water, napkins, cups and coolers-all of which he brought from work. The plan was to meet the president of our committee back there again that night at 6 PM. We still had to put all the beer and pop into the coolers and set up chairs at the tables. Plus we had to figure out how to do our drawing for all the prizes that we give away each year. This year we decided to play Dirty Santa. Once you draw a prize, the next person can either draw a new unknown gift or steal what the first person already drew. On and on it goes.

We had a menu of appetizers as opposed to a huge sit down meal. It seemed to go over well with everyone there as well. There were BBQ beanie weenies, Italian meatballs, hot wings, BBQ wings, rolls and butter, 3 kinds of cookies, mini cheese cakes from Sam's Club and a veggie tray with ranch dressing. It was all good.

During the week prior to the party, I went shopping with Lacey, the president for the prizes. And suffice it to say that by spending almost $3000 at Best Buy, we were able to pick up some pretty nice gifts! We definitely had fun shopping! Long story short, I went home after the party with an Insignia Sport 4GB MP3! It's just like the one in the picture. I've never had anything like it before. It should be fun learning how to use it! There were also hotel stays from other cities that SWA flies to that were given away. I think everyone was happy. We always have enough prizes for every employee.

Trying to get everyone organized for a group employee photo. Worse than a bunch of kids!

Mike (aka Wax), a ramp agent, his wife Loren and Kurt, a ramp supervisor

People

Midwest Airlines employees....they handle our cargo and are always invited.

I would have tried to list all the names on all the photos....too many faces to put all that info in. Some agents came to the party after they were off work or just didn't show up at all. Over all....a good turnout, considering our station only has roughly 55 employees.

After all the prizes had been drawn, the president Lacey and I were presented with $50 gift cards to Walmart/Sam's Club for the hard work on the party and for me, the length of time I've been the treasurer--8 or 9 years...something like that. A very nice gesture.

One more year gone....