2020 has been a year like no other. Many of our clients and their families are truly struggling in so many ways. And in an otherwise normal year, we would be launching our annual Hope for the Holidays gifting program this month and getting ready to bring some joy to our clients. After much discussion, we have determined that in order to still serve Operation Hope’s clients with much needed and appreciated gifts this holiday season while adhering to social distancing guidelines to keep all of us safe, we will be limiting donations to gift cards only. The process will be a little different but the kindness and care for those struggling in our community remains the same. We hope you will consider helping us give hope this holiday season.
Here is how Hope for the Holidays will run this year:
- Sponsors can either opt to supply general gift cards (always needed) or be matched with specific families and/or adult individuals who are currently working with their Operation Hope social workers to develop a wishlist of specific gift cards needed.
- Evie Angel, who chairs the program, should have all wishlists in November and will begin distributing to sponsors asap.
- Sponsors will then have until December 1 to either mail gift cards or drop them off at Evie’s home in Fairfield. She, along with a few elves (aka her husband and adult kids) will check in and organize all the gift cards by client and have each client’s gift cards wrapped in a small box so there is a gift to open. She will get the gift card packages to social workers as early as possible in December so clients have time to use the gift cards to buy gifts for their families before the holiday.
If you are interested in participating this year or have any questions, please send an email asap to Evie Angel at [email protected]. We will miss being with the dozens of volunteers from all walks of life who took the time to donate gifts, sort and wrap gifts and deliver gifts. But we know this is the best way to keep everyone safe. We WILL be back in 2021! Thank you!