CHICAGO--On Friday December 5, at 8 a.m. the Coast Guard Cutter MACKINAW is scheduled to arrive at Chicago's Navy Pier with a load of Christmas trees for families in need. The ship's arrival will be recreating the way Christmas trees used to be brought to Chicago until the early 1900's.

On Saturday December 6, three trees will be given to three families during a brief ceremony beginning at 9:15 a.m.  Also on Saturday the trees will be taken off MACKINAW and loaded into trucks for distribution. The offload will take place throughout the day starting at 9 a.m.

Additionally, on Friday MACKINAW will host tours for 100 area students from 10 a.m. to noon. The children will learn about the role of the Coast Guard cutter and the original Christmas Ship while members of MACKINAW's crew and volunteers decorate the ship for Christmas.  

Over all, 1,000 trees will be donated to families in the Chicago area. The trees were purchased from North Country Christmas Trees in Wausaukee, Wisc., with monies raised by the Chicago's Christmas Ship Comittee. An additional 100 trees will be donated to families in Cheboygan, Mich., where MACKINAW is homeported.

Part of MACKINAW’s Fall routine involves training trips in preparation for the icebreaking season.  In conjunction with the training trip to Chicago, MACKINAW is able to transport trees to be donated to Chicago’s disadvantaged families. 

MACKINAW will host public tours on December 6 and December 7 from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

MACKINAW will be docked at the Southwest end of Navy Pier.

Members of the media are invited to the ship's arrival and tours on Friday and the tree offload and presentation ceremony on Saturday.

 

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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.

 

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