Lake County jail hosts annual holiday party
Hundreds of pounds of frozen turkeys, hams and other food as well as scores of toys were distributed to families Saturday morning in the lobby of the intake area of the Lake County jail in Waukegan.
While an unconventional setting for such holiday festivities, organizers say it fills a need.
In cooperation with Mary's Mission & Shelter Care, Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran opens up the area to families with loved ones who will be incarcerated over Christmastime. The families wait hours for the donated food and toys to be disbursed by local politicians and church leaders.
"Every year we have to go through this and sadly I think it's even more families this year because we've got so many low-income people without jobs and single moms without jobs," said Lake County Board member Marry Ross-Cunningham. "I'd rather see the money go to bond out some of these individuals so they could be at home with their families, but this is something."
Mary Lacey, executive director of the shelter named in her honor, led a small parade from the nearby shelter to the jail. Lacey's crew organized much of the donations through area churches.
Frail and ailing from pneumonia, Lacey still made an appearance at the event and delivered a short speech hitting on seasonal themes of charity and community before admonishing the children in attendance to live peaceful lives.
"I want you all to remember, we are all God's children. All of us," she said. "Stop the violence."
The crowd prayed and sang Christmas carols together as children waited their turn to speak with Santa Claus.
U.S. Rep. Bob Dold was also on hand and praised the annual event, while suggesting more could be done all year round.
"The spirit of giving that revolves around the holidays should not end at the end of the season," the Kenilworth Republican said. "It has to go well beyond."
Dold's presumptive Democratic challenger in the 2016 race, former U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, also attended the event and donated food and other items.