Behind the Badge
We all know Santa Claus travels by sleigh, powered by eight reindeer. Well, nine if you include Rudolph.
That could create a problem when the Jolly Old Elf wants to bring toys and good cheer to a group of Make-a-Wish kids and their families on a boat in the middle of Newport Bay.
Not to worry!
Old Saint Nick has connections with Reserve Deputy Jay Wasserman of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, who arranged to deliver Santa to the children in a speedy Harbor Patrol boat.
Santa’s arrival was one of the highlights of the 17th-annual Holiday Cruise, which treats Make-a-Wish families to an evening of holiday festivities aboard the Eternity, a 140-foot, floating, four-deck yacht, owned by Electra Cruises of Newport Beach. The cruise was held Monday, Dec. 12.
Santa arrives on board the OCSD’s Harbor Patrol fire boat for the Make-A-Wish holiday harbor cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes for children who are disabled or have life-threatening illnesses, partners with the OCSD to organize the cruise twice a year, on July 4 and during the Christmas season.
“It is just so rewarding,” said Wasserman, who has been involved since the beginning. “It’s unlike anything else you can possibly do. There is nothing better than this. To see their faces … the excitement and the joy that it brings to them.”
In 2013, Wasserman received a Medal of Merit from the OCSD for organizing the Make-A-Wish cruises.
Orange County Undersheriff Don Barnes greets 5-year-old Adrina as she and others board the Eternity during the Make-A-Wish holiday cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
When they weren’t taking in the nighttime views of homes lining the harbor festooned in Christmas lights, kids were getting their faces painted, dancing to DJ music, a piano player and being entertained by a pair of high-energy, multitalented funny men.
They ate hot dogs and cookies and ice cream.
And of course, they sat on Santa’s lap and walked away with presents.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be this big, said Raylene Alvarez from Grand Terrace, who came with her 5-year- old daughter, Adrina, a Make-a-Wish kid, her husband Mario, second daughter Alana and sister Lauryn. “It’s really nice. It gives us a chance to relax and forget about what is going on for a little while. We all need it.”
Jada Meakins, 11, flashes a big smile as she receives her gift from Santa.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Monica Barios of Colton, herself a breast cancer survivor, came with her sons Angel, 7, and Isaac, 6, who are both Make-a-Wish kids.
“They were very excited knowing we were coming here,” Barios said. “This is a time out with a lot of the same kind of people.”
The cruise is possible due to monetary and in-kind donations, along with volunteers.
Dozens of OCSD reserve deputies volunteered for the event and Electra Cruises of Newport Beach donated the Eternity and its crew. The crew also was working for free.
“You just walk around now and see the smiles on these kids’ faces,” said Stephanie McCormick, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Orange County/Inland Empire chapter. “Some of these kids have never been on a boat ever, certainly not a boat like this. Many of them have not been that far out of their environment. Celebrating holidays to them is sometimes white walls of a hospital and chemo treatments.”
Four-year-old Kara Khamo gets cozy with Doc Barker, a chocolate lab with Make-A-Wish, during the cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Face painter Sara Sanchez holds a mirror up to Savannah Hernandez, 5, to view her artwork during the Make-A-Wish holiday harbor cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Five-year-old Savannah Hernandez shows off her face painting.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Undersheriff Don Barnes, left, with Electra Cruises owners Randy Goodman and Lynda Guinther, president/CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County/Inland Empire Stephanie McCormick, and O.C. Sheriff’s Deputy Jay Wasserman, on board the Eternity.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Lynda Guinther, co-owner of Electra Cruises, gives a hug to piano player Rich Sherman, who donated his time to entertain the kids on board the Eternity.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Rich Sherman plays Christmas songs as kids sing.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Max Werderman, left, and piano player Rich Sherman sing Christmas songs with the kids during the Make-A-Wish holiday harbor cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Aurora Medina, 10, gets a plate full of chicken, macaroni and cheese and hot dogs as crew members of the Eternity volunteer their time to serve the kids on the Make-A-Wish cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Five-year-old Adrina, center, gets her turn with Santa.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Santa arrives on board the OCSD’s Harbor Patrol fire boat for the Make-A-Wish holiday harbor cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids eagerly greet Santa as he hops on board the Eternity.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Angel Barrios, 7, left, and his brother Isaac, 6, enjoy a visit with Santa.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Brinda Sanchez, 12, and her sister Arinna, 7, of Garden Grove flash big smiles with Santa.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies Jay Wasserman and Blaze Bhency dance with guests while wearing firefighting outfits.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputies Jay Wasserman and Blaze Bhency dance with guests.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Electra Cruises’ three-story Eternity.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Jake Koeppel and Max Werderman, right, wave farewell to the Make-A-Wish kids.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies help with guests on board the Eternity.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
