Page 42 - January 2021

Operation Santa completes its mission despite pandemic
Not even a difficult year filled with challenges could stop the holiday spirit — and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s annual Operation Santa event proved it.
Over the course of two days, a caravan led by Santa and his elves and supported by a legion of volunteers, including many Chicago Police Officers, cruised around the city to bring some joy to 17 families of officers who died or were seriously injured in the line of duty. Additionally, another seven families of CPD officers currently on active military deployments received a special visit from Santa and company.
The event represents something of a reunion for officers’ families and the Operation Santa crew, with the delivery of gifts just a small part of what makes it memorable each year. Although COVID precautions meant everyone gathered outside to meet and share a few pleasant moments together, there were still plenty of smiles hiding behind masks.
This year’s procession included the families of officers Marco DiFranco and Ronald Newman, as well as Sergeant Cliff Martin, who died after contracting COVID-19 this year.
“For 592 Chicago Police families, the difficulties of 2020 were significant. While we were all home with our loved ones, these families felt the hole in their homes and in their hearts for the loved ones they lost in the line of duty,” said Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Executive Director Phil Cline. “We are so honored to be able to visit these families, even while remaining
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socially distant. It is important to remind each of these families that we will never forget them, their loved ones and their sacri- fice to our city.”
A little dreary, rainy weather didn’t get in the way of Operation Santa sup- porters coming together at the home of the late Commander Paul Bauer to offer holiday wishes to his wife Erin and daughter Grace.
Santa delivered a stack of presents to the family of Officer Samuel Jimenez, and by the looks of the torn-up wrapping paper on the lawn, the Jimenez children were certainly excited by the special gifts they received.
Santa, Mrs. Claus and Frosty the Snowman offered a little holiday magic to the wife and children of Officer Eduardo Marmolejo as part of the 14th annual Operation Santa.
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