Downers Grove woman helps form Operation Midway Bliss to assist those affected by ICE

A duo that met through social media has joined up to support families that have been directly impacted by ICE raids in the Chicago area this holiday season.

Several weeks ago, Chicagoan Will McNiff posted a TikTok expressing his interest in creating an angel tree program for families impacted by the ICE raids.

One of the 135 people who commented on the post was Taylor Krahl, a Downers Grove mother of three. She wanted to help.

Krahl and McNiff connected through text messages, phone calls and Zoom meetings. In a couple of weeks, Operation Midway Bliss was born.

With a twist on the name of the raids, Operation Midway Blitz, the two wanted to “bring comfort, dignity and hope through meaningful gifts and compassionate community support” through Operation Midway Bliss. A GoFundMe has raised more than $34,000 in donations.

“Watching the reaction has just been awe-inspiring, motivating and really encouraging,” Krahl said.

In addition, more than 900 individuals have signed up to stay connected, volunteer or donate money to support children in the Chicago area whose families have been impacted by recent ICE actions.

The movement’s name came about because the two wanted to turn something that symbolized “fear and control” into something else.

They are determined to “take the power back, reframe it, and rename it,” Krahl said.

“In Chicago, in the suburbs and in this community, we protect our own,” she said.

Krahl added that she and McNiff are touched by the significant response to their efforts.

“We are so humbled by the community support and the outreach from other people who feel the same way we do and who want to make sure ultimately that these families and these children know that they are loved,” she said. “And if we can take even the smallest burden away so that they can exhale and have a day to celebrate family and community.”

Krahl owns a small service-based business in Naperville and has seen firsthand the impact ICE has had on her predominantly Mexican employees.

She said her employees have “shared what has been happening in our community, and it is really devastating.”

“A lot of the community, even if their status is secure, is scared,” Krahl said.

Krahl and McNiff first considered using the money raised to buy gift cards for families.

However, they learned from an organization they are partnering with, Organización Hijos de Migrantes, that “a lot of these families are still too scared to go out and shop,” Krahl said.

Then they were determined to “get a bag of groceries to 100 families out of a community of 6,000 in need.” The group is also in the process of creating Amazon wishlists that will include one toy and one essential item for the children.

To donate or learn more, visit operationmidwaybliss.com.