Police officers and firefighters in Waukegan and Grayslake helped deliver holiday gifts to two different families who have a child battling a life-threatening illness.
The Waukegan Police Department and the Waukegan Fire Department said they made a special Christmas delivery to a “very deserving” family in Waukegan on Monday.
The police and fire departments made the delivery on behalf of Operation North Pole Chicago.
Operation North Pole is a volunteer-based public charity that works with Chicagoland’s major children’s hospitals and provides “magical experiences” for families with a child battling a life-threatening illness.
“With fire trucks and police squads lining the roadway, we could tell this family was overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation! Happy Holidays everyone!” the Waukegan Police Department said.
The Grayslake Fire District said they made a present delivery on behalf of Operation North Pole to a family in Grayslake on Sunday with the assistance of the Grayslake-Hainesville Police Department.
Santa, along with the Grayslake police and fire departments, arrived at the home of 10-year-old James and his younger brother Henry.
“We were honored to be part of this special day!” the Grayslake Fire District said.
Last Saturday morning, the Huntley Fire Protection District and several other police and fire departments made a gift drop-off in Algonquin also on behalf of Operation North Pole.
Officials said that Operation North Pole normally provides “magical fantasy trips to the North Pole” for families, but has canceled that event due to COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses.
The organization has instead partnered up with local fire departments to make the gift deliveries while their main event is on hold.