Christmas for 150 children in Cook County was made brighter by the kindness of those who participated in Operation Family Christmas.
Jes Rodne, the second-year coordinator, said, “We had 53 families take part! The community involvement was amazing. Every family got presents, grocery cards, and a Ruby’s Pantry share.
“We had some very generous donations to be able to provide this. I am once again so amazed at the outpouring of love and generosity from the members of this committee along with people outside of Cook County.”
Operation Family Christmas was established to assist parents or guardians who may not be able to buy Christmas presents for their children ages 0-18.
It works this way. The North Shore Federal Credit Union branches in Lutsen and Grand Marais each put up Christmas Trees in their lobbies with “ornaments” on them.
All of the ornaments display the ages, gender and some ideas of what a child’s wishes are for Christmas presents. Members of the public take an ornament (or more than one) and purchase presents listed on the tags, then bring the presents back to a designated location to be given to the parents who otherwise might not be able to give their children anything for Christmas.
Beth Kennedy also helped coordinate the Operation Family Christmas effort. She reported that the Cook County Oral Health Task Force donated 55 toothbrushes and toothpaste kits to Snacks and Packs kids, and 150 toothbrush packs to all the Operation Family Christmas kids.
Arrowhead Cooperative and World’s Best Donuts also teamed up to donate $5 each per dozen donuts to KIDS for food gift cards, raising $800 for Operation Family Christmas.
Christmas gift certificates given out to people in need, said Kennedy, included giving 100 gift certificates to the Food Shelf, 55 to Snacks and Packs for weekend food for kids, 100 to Operation Family Christmas families, and 58 gift certificates were given to senior citizens who have a need.
All of that giving has a financial component to it. Kennedy said that anyone who would like to donate funds to cover expenses could send a check to Ruby’s Pantry, P.O. Box 5, Grand Marais.
As for Rodne, she summed up her feelings this way, “There was Christmas Magic in so many households due to this program, and I am beyond blessed to have been a part of it!”
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