GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A program that provides new toys for families in need during the holiday season is making a difference in Green Bay.
The Operation Elf program set up shop at Freedom House Ministries Monday.
A program that provides new toys for families in need during the holiday season is making a difference in Green Bay. (WLUK)
The program relies on new toy and gift donations from local community members and businesses. Parents staying at the shelter can then choose gifts for their children and volunteers will wrap the presents. A secret Santa will then deliver the presents to families’ doors on Christmas Eve.
Outskirts Saloon in New Franken organized the toy drive and the community responded in a big way.
“Our family is very grateful to have what we have now, we didn’t before and it feels really good to give back to the community when we have so much and other people don’t, it makes us feel very good to give back and we love seeing other people’s reactions to the gifts and the cash and it’s very nice,” Julia Harris of Outskirts Saloon said.
Steve Schauer, director of development at Freedom House Ministries says it’s great how the community always makes sure that those less fortunate have a great Christmas as well.
“It means a lot to Freedom House that the community has stepped up to donate toys and gifts so that the parents and the kids have the opportunity to experience joy and happiness this time of year when they may not have the joys and other things families have,” Schauer said.
Meanwhile, children at the shelter have been secretly crafting homemade gifts for their parents, adding to the program’s meaningful impact.
While Operation Elf has come to an end, Schauer says the community can still help families in need by making monetary donations to the Freedom House to purchase basic need items.
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