A special delivery was made Friday morning to the lakeshore. The Christmas tree ship made its way to Navy Pier.
The Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw left its home port in Sheboygan, Michigan to deliver over 1,300 trees to needy families in Chicago.
Chief Alan Harris joined Good Day Chicago Friday where he talked about the tradition of the Christmas ship.
"Tradition goes back late 1800s, early 1900s when the original Christmas ship brought trees and wreaths from Michigan to the people of Chicago, donating them to deserving people," Harris said.
"In 1912 on its trip down Lake Michigan ran into a heavy storm off Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and sank and the crew of 16 was lost. In the year 2000, the Chicago maritime community partnered with the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard partnered with the Chicago Christmas ship to bring that tradition back."
Saturday, there will be a public ceremony where the trees will be off-loaded and then donated to deserving families, pre-arranged by the Christmas tree committee.
Over 16,000 trees have been donated to needy families through the charity.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:42:17 GMT
A man impersonating a police officer pulled over a northwest suburban student as she was drove to school Monday, searching her car before letting her leave, Pioneer Press is reporting.
A man impersonating a police officer pulled over a northwest suburban student as she was drove to school Monday, searching her car before letting her leave, Pioneer Press is reporting.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:04:36 GMT
Rescue crews aren't the only ones heading to help tornado victims in Oklahoma. Addison's Lutheran Church Charities sent ten comfort dogs to Moore on Tuesday, to help console victims.
Rescue crews aren't the only ones heading to help tornado victims in Oklahoma. Addison's Lutheran Church Charities sent ten comfort dogs to Moore on Tuesday, to help console victims.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:54:15 GMT
A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing a Chicago fan at a popular waterfront shopping area before a Bears/Jaguars football game last fall.
A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing a Chicago fan at a popular waterfront shopping area before a Bears/Jaguars football game last fall.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:53:12 GMT
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:51 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:51:14 GMT
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of Moore, Okla. for survivors of a tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of Moore, Okla. for survivors of a tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.
