On December 23rd, Kaila and her family were returning home from a fun trip to California to get some special gifts from various California theme parks for Christmas when the unthinkable happened. After returning home via Southwest Airlines to El Paso Inernational Airport, Kaila and her family went to retrieve their checked luggage, but were stunned to come across a large and torn trash bag with a matching baggage claim tag.
The trash bag was partially filled with torn and destroyed clothes and toys from Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and more all meant to be gifted for Christmas merely two days after the mishap. So what happened? “When I came back from Disneyland and I came out the plane, I saw my toys ruined and it was really scary to see my toys destroyed and ruined…” shared a heartbroken Kaila with El Paso news station KTSM.
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After retrieving the remainder of their luggage the family went straight to the Southwest Airlines desk to find out what happened to their missing luggage and to find a resolution for the detroyed items and ruined Christmas. According to a video shared by the father, the Southwest Agent shared that there luggage had accdidentaly been run over between drop off and installement on the aircraft and offered either $250 in compensation or they could keep the bag and it’s contents, but not both.
“It’s over $1000 in gifts…they’re all ruined…” the father shared with the Southwest Airline representative, who offered no alternative. Kaila’s father added, “It’s a couple days before Christmas I have to go to the Disney parks to get those items, you can’t get them online, you can’t get them at the Disney store. I can’t have another dress made for my daughter two days before Christmas.”
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According to a report from KTSM, “KTSM reached out to Southwest Airlines, and a representative tells us that they are in contact with the family and are working to resolve their concerns. The representative added that they have extended an invitation to the family and a voucher, to welcome them back to Southwest Airlines for a future trip.“
Though this did not resoulve the lost Christmas gifts, Disney did what Disney does best and after hearing Kaila’s family’s story stepped in to work a Christmas Miracle! The Disney Store at the Outlet Shoppes at El Paso managed to get a “care package” sent to the family’s doorstep on Friday morning, filled with gifts and replacement items to help save Christmas.
Kaila and her family were shocked and surprised at the kind gesture, with Kaila’s father sharing: “I cannot express my gratitude in words, I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say, my eyes watered up. I can’t believe the kindness and compassion that Disney has.”
Related: Disney Launches From Our Family to Yours Campaign in Support of Make-A-Wish
We hope Kaila and her family were still able to have a magical Christmas! Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for updates and all things Disney!
Featured Photo Credit: Disney Parks
Source: KTSM News
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