Operation North Pole makes a magical day for sick children
Des Plaines firefighters and Mayor Marty Moylan joined a host of volunteers, including Ronald McDonald and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus to create some holiday magic Sunday for children battling life threatening illnesses.
Twenty-eight families rode “The Polar Express,” an event organized by Operation North Pole, a not-for-profit organization that aims to provide a holiday fantasy free of worries for the children and their families.
The families were treated to a buffet breakfast with Ronald McDonald at the headquarters of the Illinois Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Des Plaines. Then, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, they hopped on buses that dropped them off at a Union Pacific Northwest train bound for the North Pole — or a reasonable facsimile in Harvard, where they dined on McDonald’s Happy Meals and hot chocolate on the train.
On the return trip, they were greeted by firefighters at each commuter station.
Then, back at Des Plaines, they boarded buses and followed Santa Claus in a fire engine back to the union hall.
Tim Crossin, treasurer of Operation North Pole, said the event went off without a hitch. Only one child became sick on the train.
“With all of the professional staff on board we were able to manage the situation rapidly and efficiently,” he said.
Among the attendees were Moylan and Fire Chief Alan Wax.
“I’m very excited about today. As you know, it’s all about the kids, everybody helping out, working together and giving the children some joy,” Moylan said.
Added Wax: “It’s nice to be able to give them one day where they don’t have to worry about all the stuff they deal with every day.”
Wax sounded a somber note, however, saying that one family was not able to attend because their child passed away last week.
Among the guests were Jennifer Schaefer of Hawthorn Woods, who visited with sons Luke, 10, and Brad, 7.
Luke, who is currently receiving treatment for leukemia, said he especially enjoyed Ronald McDonald telling jokes and performing magic tricks, while Brad enjoyed the train.
“I thought the conductor was cool. He looked just like the guy in the movie (“The Polar Express”). And seeing all the firefighters come out. That was kind of neat. Every fire truck from here to Harvard was out for us today,” Jennifer Schaefer said.
She said Luke has been in remission for a year and half and has another two years of treatment left.
Chris Schmidt, a teaching assistant at Maine West, was the conductor on the train.
“The kids had so much fun,” he said. “I swear the whole fire department (in Harvard) came out and passed out lunch. Every train stop there were firefighters waving and sirens blaring.”
Barb Dabler of Operation North Pole said the event was marvelous.
“Look at the people that have come to support us,” she said. “People have just these huge generous hearts.”