Your news: Des Plaines firefighters help Santa through Operation North Pole

Members of the Des Plaines Professional Firefighter Association Local 4211 participated in “Operation North Pole,” Saturday, Dec. 4, at O'Hare Airport.

Locally, Operation North Pole, an organization dedicated to serving challenged and ill children, works with United Airlines employees providing a fantasy trip to the “North Pole.” The day includes a 45-minute ride around the airport in a United Airlines airplane and a visit with Santa highlighted with lunch in Mrs. Claus' kitchen.

This is the second year that Des Plaines Firemen assisted with the collection and distribution of donated items for children. In addition to Des Plaines firemen, other area firefighters assist families at the airport gates before their airport ride and helped families take gifts to their cars at the end of the event.

Throughout the year, Operation North Pole personnel coordinate corporate and individual gift contributions. Des Plaines firefighters work with Barbara Dabler, United Airlines flight attendant and employee at Lutheran General Advocate Hospital, who heads up the Des Plaines Operation North Pole Office. Dabler works with area hospitals in regards to inviting children and their families to the event.

This year Des Plaines Firefighters and volunteers from throughout the Chicagoland area met the Thursday before Operation North Pole, on Dec. 2, at the Mechanics Union Hall, 50 W. Oakton Street, to wrap the presents for the event.

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