Operation Santa brought a little bit of the North Pole to Cresco

The Cresco Police Department’s Operation Santa jingled through town again this year, delivering cheer, laughter, and gift bags to nearly 60 delighted children. Kris Kringle rode along with his very own police escort elves, Officers Sam Fotiadis and Dalton Rush, turning routine patrol routes into a festive parade of goodwill.

 

Operation Santa Brings the North Pole to Cresco:

   When the cruiser rolled up with a crimson-suited passenger and a twinkle in his eye, neighbors did a double-take — then rushed to their porches with mittened hands and holiday grins. For the second year running, Operation Santa had families sign up ahead of time, and on Christmas Eve. Kris Kringle, AKA Santa, and his two merry escorts visited about 15 homes across the city. With sirens softened to a seasonal hum on the cruiser, the procession looked like a page out of a storybook: flashing lights, cheerful waves, and the unmistakable “Ho! Ho! Ho!” that made small faces light up.

   Santa disembarked with armfuls of gift bags and a warm greeting for each child he met. Nearly 60 youngsters got to meet him in person, some shy at first, others outgoing and practicing their best “nice” Santa jokes. The bags — stuffed with surprises and handed out with theatrical flourish — came courtesy of two anonymous donors whose generosity turned the police motorcade into a rolling holiday wonderland.

   Officers Sam Fotiadis and Dalton Rush served as official police elves, steering the sleigh-mobile from driveway to driveway and helping make every stop smooth and safe. “We do this for the kids, they love it,” Officer Fotiadis said, his pride clear in every laugh he shared that night. Santa himself pledged to keep the tradition alive: “It is a worthy cause, that we will keep doing for hopefully many years to come,” he said, promising this cheerful patrol will visit Cresco once again.