Members Help Decorate the Christmastree Ship
Probably the best known of the Christmas tree ships was the
Schooner Rouse Simmons.

Today the Mackinaw has been sponsored by several organizations to continue the tradition of bringing Christnas trees to Chicago by water.

Shown below, the Mackinaw passes cruise ships docked along Navy Pier as she prepares to tie up to the breakwall.

In Mid November a letter from the Chicago Yachting Association was recieved requesting assistance decorating the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw. Due to the short notice of the request, the message was forwarded only to Chicago Power Squadron members with e-mail.

Cindy Hopkins and George McGuire responded to the call and claimed that they had a great time dispite the freezing cold.

Fred Pope sent the following letter to each of the participants.

Through your unselfish efforts, the Third Chicago's Christmas Ship Event was a rousing sucess. The lives of 750 children were brigntened on December 7 as our event unfolded, and our objective - distributing Christmas trees to the children of needy families - was met.

The chilling temperatures on Firday tested your dedication to the utmost. You rose to the challenge and the result was the transformation of an aging Coast Guard Cutter into the beautifully-decorated Christmas Ship.

Thank you for being part of this experience, and thank you for making this happen.

May your holidays be happy and joyful,s

Fred W. Pope

Chairman

A sign amid ship states,

"Without a Christmastree
There is no Christmas"

 
© 2002 Chicago Power Squadron, Inc.   All Rights Reserved.