Santa and Mrs. Claus Arrive by Police Helicopter to Visit Huntington Health Pediatric Patients

A festive surprise awaited young patients Wednesday when Santa and Mrs. Claus, accompanied by Police Chief Gene Harris and members of the Pasadena Police Air Operations Section, touched down in a helicopter atop Huntington Health. Dubbed “Operation Polar Wind,” the jovial visit brought joy and wonder to the faces of sick children and their families.

“We are so grateful to the entire team at Pasadena Police Department and our local police agencies for their incredible generosity,” said Amy Pendleton, Director of Women and Children’s Services, Huntington Health. “The entire team, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus, bring so much joy to our patients and staff. We look forward to this visit every year.”

The initiative marks the 19th annual toy drive, funded through generous contributions from Pasadena Police Department employees and officer associations participating in the Foothill Air Support Team program throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

These community heroes donate from their own pockets to support Huntington’s pediatric and NICU departments. The hospital is now stocked with additional gifts it can share with pediatric patients all year long.

The event included special touches for the hospital’s youngest patients, with NICU families receiving commemorative “Baby’s 1st Christmas” photo ornaments from the Pasadena Police Department.

Support extended across multiple jurisdictions, with donations provided by police departments from Arcadia, Covina, Glendora, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Marino, and South Pasadena, along with additional support from the Pasadena Police Foundation and Trader Joe’s.