Hemet Police Department to Partner with 60 Law Enforcement Agencies from Across California to Celebrate Healthcare Workers During Annual “Operation Holiday Cheer”
60 Agencies from Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara to Visit 40+ Hospitals Over 28,000 Miles to Spread Joy During the Holidays
Hemet, California – This week, on December 17th and 18th, law enforcement agencies from across Riverside County will take part in the annual “Operation Holiday Cheer” – a festive event honoring the hard work and sacrifice of healthcare professionals during the holiday season. Now in its fifth year, the all-day trek has grown significantly to include nearly 60 law enforcement agencies from seven counties across the state – as well as Santa Claus and other holiday guests – who will visit over 40 hospitals and cover an area of more than 28,000 miles. Participating agencies from Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties will gather outside local hospitals, filling parking lots with lights, sirens, and holiday cheer to show appreciation to their fellow first responders and bring smiles to patients needing a little extra holiday spirit.
Who: 60 police and fire departments visiting 40+ hospitals across California.
What: Law enforcement and fire agencies will create a festive motorcade in front of their local hospitals, shining car lights, trumpeting sirens, and greeting medical staff to honor their sacrifices during the holidays.
When: December 17th
Where: The following is a select list of locations where the most significant events will be taking place in Hemet, along with planned timing for the procession’s arrival (all in PST):
- 3:45 PM – Hemet Hospital 1117 Devonshire Ave., Hemet, CA 92543
Visuals: The display will feature police officers and their cars, firetrucks and firefighters, Santa Claus and other Christmas characters in hospital parking lots. Sirens and lights will accompany the procession at each hospital. Audio and visuals will include sirens and lights as the procession drives by each of the hospitals. See here for coverage from last year’s event, and here for video from a prior year, for examples of visuals.
Contact Sgt McGinnis for more information via email at tmcginnis@hemetca.gov
To contact the command post for exact precession status, call 909-357-7671.