Just like all of us, Santa Claus is having to do things differently this year, and that includes delivering toys to children hospitalized at The University of Kansas Health System. Escorted by Federal Agents, KU Police and a whole posse of area police and fire trucks, Santa arrived outside the health system’s Cambridge Tower with a huge supply of toys from Shadow Buddies for the pediatric unit.
Normally, toys are cleaned and reused on the pediatric floor, but with COVID-19, there are times those toys can’t be shared, and they go home with the child, depleting the supply. The Shadow Buddies Holiday Toy Drive gathered $10K worth of toys and Federal Agents made sure they and Santa arrived safe and sound. Santa also delivered 100 of the new Courageous Crew Physician/Nurse Buddies for frontline workers.
For the last 24 years the Shadow Buddies Foundation has delivered toys to families in need who have children with different medical challenges including those in hospitals. This is their largest donation yet. They also delivered treats and baked goods from the National Charity League.
The whole thing was nearly ruined by the dastardly Grinch, who snuck up behind Santa’s delivery truck and, as he usually does, tried to keep Christmas from coming by stealing the toys. Thanks to quick action by police and Federal Agents, they cornered the Grinch, who had made off with a big sack full of toys. But as they moved in to capture the suspect, the Grinch managed to give them the slip dropping the toys, and remains at large. Police have issued an all-points bulletin and have provided a wanted poster to help catch the fiend. See below for the official police news release on the Grinch.
The video includes sound from Santa and Mrs. Claus, Marty Postlethwait, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Shadow Buddies, Andrea Kennedy, child life specialist in the pediatric unit and Deputy Chief Darlene Santiago of the KU Police Department, with a description and wanted poster of the Grinch. The b-roll includes the motorcade with Santa and the presents arriving, the Grinch’s attempted theft, a digital copy of the Grinch’s mug shot and law enforcement agents unloading the presents in preparation for bringing them to the boys and girls in the pediatric unit.
December 18, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Attempted Theft
KANSAS CITY, KS - Today, on December 18, 2020 at approximately 1:35 P.M, while Mr. & Mrs. Claus were delivering toys to The University of Kansas Health System located on Cambridge Street between W. 39th and W. 36th Avenues, Kansas City, KS, a male subject attempted to steal the toys that were meant for the children that have been admitted to The University of Kansas Health System. This subject is between 5’6 and 6’6, green skin tone, blue eyes and green hair and body hair, wearing what would appear to be red Santa clothing. Law Enforcement authorities believe that this subject is well known to our community.
The brave and quick actions of our Federal and Local law enforcement intervened during the attempted theft and were able to recover the toys. It is evident that this subject was not only attempting to steal toys but more importantly, steal Christmas.
The subject was last seen running north on Cambridge Avenue, KCKS. Authorities believe this suspect is the Grinch. Our biggest ally in this matter are the children in our communities due to Adults not readily being able to see the Grinch, only children are obviously able to see this suspect possibly known as the Grinch.
To the children in our communities we need your help in keeping a look out for the Grinch. We are aware that the Grinch is trying to steal Christmas. With your help we can locate the Grinch and bring his small heart to grow 3 sizes. If you encounter the Grinch please immediately let an adult know.
MEDIA CONTACT: Santiago, Darlene, Deputy Chief 913 945-8161 Dsantiago@kumc.edu
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