Santa, DuPage cops bring cheer to kids in hospitals
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Have you heard the one where a mouse, a clown and Santa walk into a hospital?
You likely have, considering the DuPage County Police Association has been bringing Santa and other costumed characters to cheer up young patients at area hospitals since 1962.
The streak continued Friday as a dozen active and retired police officers and retired Warrenville police dog Bandit spent the day delivering toys to children at five hospitals in DuPage County: Edward in Naperville, Central DuPage in Winfield, Elmhurst Memorial, Adventist Midwest Health in Hinsdale and Advocate Good Samaritan in Downers Grove.
Santa and friends delivered stuffed animals and Mr. Potato Head and Hannah Montana figures to the young children at Edward while Best Buy gift cards and Rubik's Cubes found their way to the teens also being cared for in the pediatric ward.
Dillan Black, 5, of Yorkville, was surprised when Santa and friends busted in and interrupted his Wii game. Not sure what to think of his guests, he thanked them for his Mr. Potato Head figure and went back to his game.
“Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse? That's weird,” he said. “But I like it and I'll play with (the toy).”
Black was one of about 10 patients the group visited and tried to cheer up.
“It always feels nice to bring something for these kids who may be stuck here for the holidays instead of home with friends and family,” Naperville Cmdr. Dave Hoffman said. “It allows us to give back and also gives us another opportunity for kids to have positive encounters with officers.”
Retired Addison police officer Steve Orlowski deputized many of the children with badges, in addition to their gifts.
“It's no fun being here for Christmas so it's to see them smile,” he said.
Many of the kids also requested a bedside visit by Bandit.
“It's great,” said the dog's handler, officer Matt Komar. ”We both look forward to this every year.”
The event is sponsored by McDonald's Corp. and the volunteer police officers travel between hospitals on a bus. The gifts, Hoffman said, are purchased and donated by association members.
