Rock Falls officer Zak Bittner (left) helps chief Dave Pilgrim load gifts into a squad car Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. The department is once again holding their Operation: Santa Claus program where the department raises funds and provides gifts and a Christmas meal to local families. This year over $6000 was raised for 6 families with 24 kids. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com)
ROCK FALLS – On Friday, officers with the Rock Falls Police Department delivered gifts to families that were part of the Operation: Santa Claus program.
This year, more than $6,000 were donated by area businesses and individuals to provide gifts and meals for those families, said David Pilgrim, police chief.
Astrid Penney accepts food and gifts from the Rock Falls Police Department for the first delivery of the day. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com)
Santa Claus, played by Jon Colberg, hands Samuel Calderon, 11, a basket of gifts for him and his family during the second stop of the day. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com)
Rock Falls officers Betony Wade and Brian Diaz load the first round of gifts into a squad for the delivery. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com)
Keegan Penney, 9, meets with Santa Claus during the giving of the gifts. Local businesses donated to help fund the program. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com)
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