Buffalo Grove firefighters participate in Operation North Pole
Several Buffalo Grove firefighters participated on Saturday, Dec. 9, in Operation North Pole, a yearly, volunteer-based, public charity that benefits children who are fighting life-threatening or terminal illnesses, over the holiday season.
Operation North Pole partners with Chicago area children's hospitals and provides a day of fun for the participating children, along with their family members. They are provided with breakfast, a train ride to the North Pole, entertainment, fulfillment of wish lists and many other events and activities meant to provide them with a magical experience.
"We are honored to play a small part in this much larger effort to make a difference in the lives of these children and their family members," Fire Chief Mike Baker said. "The real payback for our firefighters is in helping to provide a day where entire families can relax and enjoy themselves during what is most certainly a challenging and stressful time in their lives."
In addition to the yearly event, Operation North Pole is planning on expanding to a "Twelve Months of Christmas" schedule. Efforts in the 2016-17 season included delivering 3,000 winter coats to in-need individuals, hosting blood drives in partnership with LifeSource, and providing services at the Ronald McDonald House, in addition to hosting numerous charitable events.
Due to the emotional and financial stresses families experience when children are facing serious illnesses, Operation North Pole makes every effort to ensure that the entire family participates in the day's festivities. For information, visit www.operationnorthpole.org.
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