Behind the Badge
A group of Orange County Sheriff’s Department reserve deputies once again helped create a joyful Fourth of July experience for more than 100 Make-A-Wish children and their families.
The Wish Kids and their families started the special day at 9 a.m., sailing around Newport Harbor on a four-level luxury yacht, Eternity.
About 45 minutes into the cruise, the Eternity docked at American Legion Post 291, where the guests of honor were greeted by Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and served a pancake breakfast by the men and women of the post.
Then they re-boarded the Eternity and spent the next two hours cruising the harbor, getting their faces painted, dancing to DJ music and being entertained by a pair of high-energy, multitalented funny men from Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies help kids off the boat during a 4th of July Newport Harbor Cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The kids smiled and laughed and chased each other around the yacht. They hung out on the deck, soaking up the sun and the sights of the harbor.
“Our kids are having a ball,” said Stephanie McCormick, president of the Make-A-Wish Orange County/Inland Empire chapter. “There is nothing more powerful than the smile of a Make-a-Wish kid.”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes for children who are disabled or have life-threatening illnesses.
Spearheaded by Reserve Marine Operations Deputy Jay Wasserman, the Make-A-Wish cruise has been taking place twice a year for the past 17 years, once during Christmas season and on July 4.
In 2013, Wasserman received a Medal of Merit from OCSD for organizing the Make-A-Wish cruises.
Richard Cody looks out onto Newport Harbor with his 12-year-old son Jase on board the Electra Cruises boat Eternity during the 4th of July Newport Harbor Cruise hosted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“The event is a total respite for the families and the kids,” said Wasserman, who has been coordinating the event for the past 10 years. “It’s so fulfilling for me. That is why I do it.”
The cruise is possible due to in-kind and monetary donations along with the work done by volunteers.
Electra Cruises of Newport Beach donated the Eternity and its crew for the day.
Wassermann figures that alone is worth about $20,000.
About 160 reserve deputies volunteered time for the event, along with 19 volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Orange County/Inland Empire chapter.
Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and Stephanie McCormick, president/CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County/Inland Empire, front center, gather with Make-a-Wish kids for photographs at the American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Eleven-year-old Jada Meakins celebrates during a check presentation at the American Legion in Newport Beach.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“I’m very honored for the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for volunteering their time to make this a special event for the kids,” Hutchens said.
The effort didn’t go unnoticed.
“We’re so impressed with the number of sheriff’s (deputies) here,” said Charla Kingsley of Moreno Valley, who joined daughter Alexa, 12, a Wish Kid, for the event. “They are so personable. We really appreciate that.”
Richard Cody, his wife Melissa and 12-year old son Jase, a Wish Kid, also made the trip from the Inland Empire and were grateful for the experience and the benevolence of the volunteers.
“This is so cool,” Cody said. “We are very blessed. If everybody in life could help someone out like that, what a wonderful, place it would be.”
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies help kids and their families off the Electra Cruises boat Eternity at the end of a Make-a-Wish 4th of July Newport Harbor Cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff’s fire boats entertain Make-a-Wish kids on board the Electra Cruises boat Eternity.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, right, presents a check for $10,000 to Stephanie McCormick, president/CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County/Inland Empire at the American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Hazel Barajas, 7, gets a dolphin painted on her face by Carol Beyer of Fantastik Faces.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Make-A-Wish families wave from the Electra Cruises boat Eternity at the start of their 4th of July Newport Harbor Cruise hosted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff’s Reserve Deputy Pam Peters poses with kids during a 4th of July Newport Harbor cruise for Make-a-Wish kids hosted by the OCSD.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff’s Reserve Deputy Pam Peters slaps handcuffs on Make-a-Wish kids, at their request, as they play during a 4th of July Newport Harbor cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Four-year-old Galya Delrio enjoys breakfast.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Max Werderman, an entertainment manager for Farrell’s Ice Cream, dances with 11-year-old Jada Meakins during a 4th of July Newport Harbor cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Entertainment manager from Farrell’s Ice Cream Jake Koeppl and Max Werderman, on floor, dance with Make-a-Wish kids.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies dressed in their official fire outfits and entertainment managers from Farrell’s Ice Cream dance with Make-a-Wish kids.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Make-a-Wish kids line up to board the Electra Cruises boat Eternity after breakfast to continue their 4th of July Newport Harbor Cruise.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff’s fire boats entertain Make-a-Wish kids on board the Electra Cruises boat Eternity.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and Stephanie McCormick, president/CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County/Inland Empire, front center, gather with Make-a-Wish kids for photographs at the American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
