Page 36 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

CHICAGO'S CHRISTMAS SHIP

Staying the Course During Difficult Times

While this has been a challenging year, the We thank the Shipmaster’s Memorial Foundation and the Chicago
Chicago Christmas Ship Committee, in Fire Department Air Sea Rescue leadership and personnel for
conjunction with the Navy League, the United helping us keep this tradition alive! While we regret that we will not be
States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) MACKINAW crew, Ada McKinley able to employ our youth organization volunteer partners to off-load trees
Community Services, and Navy Pier are happy to report that the regular from the USCGC MACKINAW onto community agency trucks this year, we
cargo of 1200 Christmas trees will again be arriving at Navy Pier are thankful for the USCG Marine Safety Unit Chicago personnel and local
the first weekend of December. In this, our 21st year, we remain USCG Auxiliary who have volunteered to step up in their place.
committed to continuing the tradition of providing Christmas Trees to
deserving families in underserved areas of the city in the spirit of the We would also like to thank Ada S. McKinley Community Services for
Rouse Simmons – Chicago’s original Christmas Ship! their extraordinary efforts this year in locating community organizations
able to receive and distribute trees in these challenging times. Without
Though the COVID pandemic has provided significant headwinds their coordination, knowledge and expertise we would not be able to
for us, we felt it essential to hold true to our core mission of fulfill our mission of providing holiday cheer and connecting community
providing Christmas Trees and connecting families with organizations with their constituents.
service organizations in their communities now more than ever.
Unfortunately, this year’s public health concerns will cause us to eliminate Finally we would like to thank all who have contributed to our
public participation in our Saturday Christmas Ship Event Program as cause over the years including our institutional, corporate and most
well as our on-board youth educational programs. Nonetheless, we will importantly, our individual donors who all help keep Chicago’s Christmas
continue the tradition of honoring the Captain and crew of the Rouse Ship on course, even in these stormy and uncertain times!
Simmons, as well as other Mariners who have lost their lives on the water
with a private Blessing of the Wreath Ceremony at the Captain at the Helm
Statue at Navy Pier.

36 2020 yachting in chicago