New Cook County Operation Family Christmas coordinator Jes Rodne will—with the public’s help—make Christmas better for a lot of families.
As Program and Services Coordinator for the Cook County Senior Center, Jes Rodne has a busy job. But when she found out that the former organizers of Operation Family Christmas (OFC) needed a break, she happily stepped in to fill that role.
As the new OFC coordinator, explained Rodne, “I will continue the program in the same manner as last year and look forward to helping families in this county that need extra help during the holiday season.”
Operation Family Christmas was established to assist parents or guardians who may not be able to buy Christmas presents for their children.
“The program is open to parents or legal guardians who have children ages 0-18 that have struggled financially and need a little help during the holiday season,” Rodne said.
Applications are available at the Senior Center, Cook County Sheriff ’s Office, Grand Portage Human Services, and Violence Prevention Office and with Anna Sandstrom at Cook County schools.
“All of the applications need to be turned in by November 18, at 4 p.m.” said Rodne, adding that they can be turned in at the same location where they were picked up.
“We don’t accept any late applications,” she added.
Here is where you can help
The Senior Center and the North Shore Federal Credit Union (in Lutsen and Grand Marais) will put up Christmas trees in their lobbies that have “ornaments” on them.
All of the ornaments display the ages, gender and some ideas of what a child’s wishes are for Christmas presents.
“Please select as many of the ornaments that you would like to help out with and return the gifts that you have bought unwrapped in gift bags with each ornament securely fastened to the outside gift bag,” said Rodne.
Gifts should be in the $20 range.
Once purchased, all of the presents (which can also be gift cards) need to be dropped off by Dec. 16 at the Senior Center or the North Shore Federal Credit Union in Grand Marais.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help, please call Jes at (218) 370-1629 or (218) 387-2660. Jes can also be reached through her email at jmrodne@gmail.com or Anna Sandstrom at Asandstrom@isd166.org.
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