NILES, Ill. (CBS) — It’s a common hope at this time of year to head home for the holidays—but for some, it just is not possible.
For that reason, a group of first responders has brought the holiday cheer to workers in Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in northwest suburban Park Ridge.
There was no red-nosed reindeer guiding the parade, but there were plenty of red lights all aglow—along with sirens, from emergency vehicles from all different police and fire departments.
“I saw all these fire trucks and police, and they section off the street,” said Susan Purtell, “and I thought, what is going on?”
Purtell was suddenly caught in the center of the parade while waiting for her bus. She was initially confused, but then came to a realization of what was going on.
“It lifted my spirits,” she said.
The parade of first responders was all headed in the same direction. They turned the corner, crossed from Niles into Park Ridge, and headed to bring holiday cheer to patients and staff at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.