Sixty police and fire departments across Southern California are gearing up to spread holiday cheer through a heartwarming tradition of parading to hospitals across the region. This event is designed to lift spirits and show appreciation for medical staff who continue to make sacrifices while caring for patients during the holiday season.
One of the largest events of its kind, Operation Holiday Cheer involves law enforcement agencies from Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties.
Operation Holiday Cheer kicks off on Wednesday, December 17. Starting at 9 a.m., 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.
The December 17 schedule is as follows:
- 10:30 a.m. – John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital
- 11:45 a.m. – Eisenhower Medical Center
- 12:45 p.m. – Desert Regional Medical Center
- 1:45 p.m. – San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital
- 2:30 p.m. – Kaiser Permanente, Moreno Valley
- 2:40 p.m. – Riverside University Health System
- 3:45 p.m. – Hemet Global Medical Center
The parade will continue in Riverside County on Thursday, December 18, starting at 11 a.m., with stops in Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula, Wildomar, Corona, and Riverside.
The December 18 schedule is as follows:
- 11 a.m. – Menifee Global Medical Center
- 11:30 a.m. – Kaiser Permanente, Murrieta
- 11:45 a.m – Loma Linda University Health, Murrieta
- 12:15 p.m. – Rancho Springs Medical Center
- 1:15 p.m. – Temecula Valley Hospital
- 1:50 p.m. – Inland Valley Medical Center
- 3 p.m. – Corona Regional Medical Center
- 3:45 p.m. – Kaiser Permanente, Riverside
- 4:15 p.m. – Parkview Community Hospital
- 4:30 p.m. – Riverside Community Hospital
- 6 p.m. – Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda
Community members who see the parade are encouraged to honk and wave as a way of showing support for frontline workers.
