2020 Chicago's Christmas Ship sails despite COVID-19.

[rjb]

The 2020 Chicago's Christmas Ship was eerily quiet due to COVID-19 restrictions. There were no public events or volunteer participants. We did it all this year with extra participation by the US Coast Guard. We fulfilled our mission of delivering 1200 Christmas Trees to disadvantaged Chicago families.

The annual program was started in 2000 by a local group of Chicago mariners that formed the Chicago's Christmas Ship Committee www.christmasship.org. The tradition goes back to the early 1900's when Lake Michigan schooners brought Xmas Trees to Chicago. The most famous Christmas Ship was the 'Rouse Simmons' operated by Captain Herman Schuenemann, also known as Captain Santa as he always saved some of his cargo for poor families that couldn't afford to buy a tree.

The trees are purchased from a tree farm in Michigan with private donations. The USCGC Mackinaw is making its seasonal aids to navigation run to Chicago and the trees go along for the ride.

Check out the drone video from this year https://lnkd.in/ev86TFW

 

[THParent]

That offload was an efficient operation. Bravo Zulu, Coast Guard.

 

[rjb]

That offload was an efficient operation. Bravo Zulu, Coast Guard.

We normally utilize youth groups of high school age and higher - jrROTC, Naval Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts and Venturing Crews for the offload, but with COVID-19 restrictions in place opted to use CG this year. It is one of the most sought after service hour opportunities in the Chicago area. The offload takes longer with the kids but they have a lot of fun.