The Bethlehem Lutheran Church confirmation students had a great time serving as Santa’s helpers during this year’s Operation Family Christmas gift distribution. Because of many community volunteers and donors, the holidays were happier for 25 Cook County families.
Christmas 2013 was a lot brighter for 25 Cook County families—including 66 children—because of Operation Family Christmas. The grassroots program, in its second year, was begun last year to try to see that no child celebrated the holiday without at least one gift under the tree.
Organizers Andrea Everson, Lindsay Mielke, and Anna Sandstrom visited with the Cook County News-Herald at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Wednesday, December 18—amidst a veritable Santa’s Workshop of games, toys and clothes.
Assisted by the Bethlehem Lutheran Church confirmation students, they sorted through the boxes and boxes of donated toys, preparing a bag for each family on the list. The confirmation students also helped fill in the gaps by shopping for items.
In addition to donated items, Operation Family Christmas received about $700 in cash, which was used for that shopping, which was done locally, said Everson.
Also included in each family’s bag was a holiday treat baked by the confirmation students.
School District 166 Social Worker Anna Sandstrom explained that the confirmation students don’t know who they are packaging presents for. Each family group is assigned a letter and number, so confidentiality is protected.
The organizers were delighted with the response from the community. Everson expressed appreciation to the businesses that offered space for toy collection boxes or contributed in other ways. Grand Marais Family Dentistry donated toothbrush sets. Gene’s Foods donated paper bags for the toy distribution.
And to make the holiday brighter for the entire family, My Sister’s Place donated gift certificates for a dinner. St. John’s Catholic Church donated grocery and gas gift cards.
In fact, more gifts may have been donated than needed. There were a few leftover items last year, and as they sorted gifts, it appeared that might be the case again. But those gifts do not go to waste. They were taken to the Cook County Food Shelf to brighten the holiday season for a few more families.
Asked if Operation Family Christmas will continue next year, all three of the woman nodded. Mielke and Sandstrom, in unison, quickly said, “Someone has to do it!”
The women said there might be some changes though. Everson said it would be good to have an organization—a local nonprofit— handle the financial donations so contributions were tax-deductible.
Mielke said they also might start earlier, collecting names, ages, and “wish lists” to decorate “Angel Trees” at area businesses, which would give community members the option of buying a specific gift for a specific-aged child.
All three women said they wouldn’t mind more help. They said it might be nice to have volunteers in all areas of the county, noting that the Grand Marais State Bank in Tofte has a Christmas family program on the West End. They said it might be nice to have a point of contact on the Gunflint Trail and in the Hovland and Grand Portage areas. Anyone who would like to be involved in some way next year is encouraged to contact Everson at (218) 387-3595.
They all also stressed that Operation Family Christmas wouldn’t be a success without support from the entire company. “If it wasn’t for the community, we couldn’t do this,” said Everson. “We’re so thankful for all the generous donations.”
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