Over one hundred years ago in late November, hundreds of anxious families from the Chicago area waited at a dock on the Chicago River near the Clark St. bridge for a ship that would never arrive. The Rouse Simmons, owned by Capt. Herman Schuenemann, had been lost with all hands in a storm on Lake Michigan.
The Rouse Simmons, also known as the Christmas Tree Ship, was due back from Thompson, MI, with over 3,000 Christmas Trees onboard. Capt. Schuenemann, who was referred to as “Captain Santa,” believed that no one should be without a tree at Christmas time. Every year, he would give away trees to families in the Chicago area who were normally unable to afford one in the hopes of spreading hope and cheer during the holiday season.
Over the years following the loss of the Christmas Tree Ship and Captain Santa, many Chicagoans recalled fond memories of the Scheunemanns and shared stories of the family’s generosity and kindness. In the summer of 2000, at the start of the Chicago to Mackinac race while onboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WAGB-83), David Truitt shared such a story with the commanding officer, Capt. John Nickerson. Mr. Truitt’s passion for the maritime legacy of Chicago and the Great Lakes inspired Capt. Nickerson to help him revive the Christmas Tree Ship tradition. “Chicago is a favorite port,” recalled Capt. Nickerson, “At Christmas time, it’s a special place to be.” “For many kids in Chicago, there won’t be a tree or anything to perform that kind of magic,” Mr. Truitt told the Chicago Tribune in 2000. “It is a way to bring the wonder and joy of a decorated tree on Christmas morning to lower-income households.”
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Mr. Truitt was able to use his vast network of connections to secure sponsorships and form partnerships with Chicago’s Navy Pier, the Ada S. McKinley Foundation, and many other volunteer groups while Capt. Nickerson coordinated with District Nine leadership to make the inaugural event happen. The community’s response was overwhelming. When the Mackinaw arrived in Chicago with 1,200 Christmas trees from Cheboygan, MI in early December of 2000, the ship was met with crowds of eager volunteers and spectators with eyes filled with tears of joy because it would be the first time that they would have a tree in their home for Christmas.
“The Christmas Tree Ship mission is a direct honor to Great Lakes history, a celebration of the holiday spirit, and the Coast Guard’s link in a chain of events that must happen to get 1,200 trees on the docks in Chicago for the most deserving of recipients” states Cmdr. Jeannette Greene, commanding officer of the Mackinaw, the current Christmas Tree Ship. Although the Mackinaw is the ship that brings the trees to Chicago, “it is a direct reflection of all the hard work put into the event by the crew, their families, the Cheboygan community, and the Christmas Tree Ship Committee” Cmdr. Greene continued. “It is even more special as it is the 25th year and we have brought back some previous Mackinaw Commanding Officers who have helped keep this tradition alive.”
George Kiesel, the Chairman of the Christmas Tree Ship Committee, has been involved with the event for 20 years. He stated that over the years, the Committee has become more sophisticated and incorporated Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to make sure the trees are going to the areas of the city that are the most underserved. “These trees are bringing holiday cheer and connect community members with services that they may not know they had access to” Mr. Kiesel stated. This year, according to Mr. Kiesel, 18 different organizations participated in the event under the supervision of the Ada S. McKinley Foundation which provides guidance on which areas are in the most need and what organizations are in the best position to assist.
“The Christmas Tree Ship event is an incredible opportunity to partner with and serve the great city of Chicago” states Adm. John Hickey, Ninth Coast Guard District Commander. “This event brings people together from all across the country to celebrate… and the trees brought in by the Mackinaw will serve over 1,000 families and allow people to enjoy the holiday season.”
“It is amazing to see the entire crew and Cheboygan community work together to load Christmas Trees on the ship to sail to Chicago,” states Ensign Zoe Cousineau, project manager for the event. “Christmas Tree Ship is not only about bringing trees to deserving families but also about strengthening the bonds between the Coast Guard and the people we proudly serve.”
Since the initial tree run, the crews and ships have changed, but many of the volunteers and members of the Christmas Tree Ship Committee have remained the same. Sadly, Mr. Truitt crossed the bar in the fall of 2024. “Without him, the event would have never happened” stated Capt. Nickerson. However, despite the loss of the Committee’s longtime friend and supporter, Mr. Kiesel is hopeful that the tradition will continue for years to come and honor Mr. Truitt’s ongoing legacy of supporting the City of Chicago, its maritime heritage, and those who have sailed the Great Lakes while continuing to connect services and community organizations with their constituents through the hope and cheer that can be brought forth by the simplest of items – a Christmas Tree.
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