CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is carrying out an annual mission this weekend: Operation Santa. The purpose of the project is to bring gifts to the families of police officers killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty.
The Operation Santa motorcade pulled up to Macy’s, where police officers some dressed as elves and two as Santa and Mrs. Claus loaded gifts to be delivered to the families of officers killed or critically injured.
Phil Cline, the Executive Director of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation emphasized the need to remember the families of fallen officers especially around the holidays.
"This is a real tough time of the year for the Gold Star families," he said. "There's someone missing at their dining room table and it's the men and women who have given their all. If we can tell them, we haven't forgotten them, it really sends a great message to the families and that's what today is all about.
Police Superintendent David Brown also noted the importance of giving some type of comfort to the families.
"We will show the young children of the families a joyous occasion this holiday season likely in what is a grieving moment for them-missing their loved one," he said.
Cline told participants this is special and rewarding for them too.
"At the end of the day, you'll feel better than you did at the beginning of the day and that's because you brought all this joy to these families."
Twenty families with 24 children are on Operation Santa’s list this year including the families of officer Ella French, who was shot to death this year and her partner, officer Carlos Yanez, who was critically injured.
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