Santa’s motorcade stops at Macy’s State Street store to pick up presents then travels through Chicago area, delivering gifts to families
December 14, 2019
Chicago – This morning, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation kicks off its 13th Annual Operation Santa. Santa along with Chicago Police Officers dressed as Elves, and supporters of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation will travel to homes of fallen and severely injured Chicago Police Officers. Chicago Police Superintendent Charlie Beck and First Deputy Superintendent Anthony Riccio will also be joining the Memorial Foundation.
The motorcade will start their morning at Macy’s on State Street to load their vans full of gifts to deliver along with holiday cheer to 22 families of fallen and severely injured Chicago Police Officers — including the families of Officer Conrad Gary and Officer Eduardo Marmolejo.
Officer Gary and Officer Marmolejo were struck and killed by a South Shore Line commuter train while investigating a shots-fired call in the area of 103rd Street and Dauphin Avenue on December 17, 2018. On Sunday, Santa will visit with Officer Gary’s wife, Kelly and daughter, Tess and Officer Marmolejo’s wife, Maria, and their three daughters, Rebeca, Madelyn and Sofia.
“Operation Santa is a special way that we can show these families that we will never forget their loved ones and their sacrifice for the City of Chicago,” said Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Executive Director, Phil Cline. “Each one of these families is part of the Chicago Police Family and we are honored that we can spend time with each of these families during the holiday season.”
Additionally, Santa will visit with 8 families of Chicago Police Officers that are currently deployed with the United States Armed Forces. These 8 officers, with a total of 20 children, are currently deployed to Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Operation Santa could not happen without the incredible support of the Chicago Community. This year’s sponsors, which allowed us to purchase gifts for more than 50 children, include Schwarber’s Neighborhood Heroes, Macy’s, Choose Chicago, Fasan Florist, Fannie May Candy, Mr. Michael Sweig, Mr. Kevin Shannahan, United States Fire Insurance Company, Wintrust, Tito’s Homemade Vodka, First Responders Children’s Foundation and Nexus Employment Solutions.
Additionally, each of the following people donated $1,000:
The Mulliganeers
Harvey and Kay Rubin
Rick & Janice Daitchman
Deborah and Gary Eades
David Connor
David Dziedzic
Mike Cronin
John Buck
Peter Nielsen
Ron Magers
Area 2 Golf Outing
Interim Superintendent of Police Charlie Beck wishes all a Happy Holiday season, “The Christmas & Holiday season is the most joyous and hopeful time of the year. The men and women of the Chicago Police Department wish peace and goodwill to all Chicagoans.”
https://news.yahoo.com/operation-santa-spreads-holiday-cheer-024931280.html