Thank You to The Operation Santa Team

Operation Santa was a huge success this year! Our volunteers served 52 households with a meal and gifts, for a total of 185 kids and 9 seniors. We also gave a warm hat and gloves to another 60 seniors through one of our partners. Between toy and money donations, it’s hard to estimate how many people participated as donors and volunteers, but it is at least 200.

There were a good number of small toys and extra books left over, and those were donated to Greater Goods in Kensington (a project of Sunday Love), who is giving them to kids in their area today! We also donated about 30 very small toys to Kearny School to use as classroom prizes. Thank you to everyone who volunteered!

We’d also like to shout out a special Operation Santa volunteer - Donovan. Donovan is 9 years old and in 3rd grade, and has raised over $4,000 for Operation Santa since he began volunteering as a first grader. This year he purchased over $1,200 of toys and made a monetary donation. Donovan fundraises the old-fashioned way, by going door to door to his neighbors to speak with them directly, and makes fundraising videos that his mom, Amy, shares to her social media.

When asked why Operation Santa is important to him, Donovan said, “I'm happy that all kids who may not have presents on Christmas will have a happy Christmas just like we do. And I hope more people join so we can raise more money and more kids can enjoy a happy Christmas."

Thank you for all your hard work, Donovan! You’re leaving some big shoes for Santa to fill.

We extend a sincere Thank You to Penn Treaty SSD, Solo Realty, and the Waterfront Square neighbors for their support in making this initiative possible!