For many years, the community’s Operation Christmas project has made the holiday season a joyful event for thousands of area families and children. Generous donations of food, children's’ gifts and cash have made Christmas special for many who might not otherwise have had much to be joyful about.

It is all done by volunteers, many of whom work throughout the year to make Operation Christmas possible. In the weeks and days before Christmas, many more volunteers work intensely to make it successful. They box donated food items and wrap Christmas gifts to be delivered to area families and individuals who are experiencing circumstances less fortunate than most of us enjoy.

There is always a need for more volunteers and more donations to assure that Operation Christmas continues to be as successful as it has been at transforming what would have been a bleak holiday season for many into one of hope and gratitude.

Perhaps the best part about Operation Christmas is that it embodies the tradition and spirit of local people helping other local people. It is not a government program, it is not run by an office full of bureaucrats, it is not subject to multiple layers of paperwork to implement. It is local people simply doing what they believe is right.

Whether you donate to Operation Christmas or work as a volunteer, or both, you are among a group of special people who conduct their lives on a higher plane. Keep up the good work.