For the second year in a row, Livingston County Catholic Charities’ foster care youth (currently 25 children) received gifts from Operation Good Cheer. The Child & Family Services Inc. State Office coordinates Operation Good Cheer, a volunteer Christmas gift-giving program.
Operation Good Cheer was created in 1971 by individuals who wanted to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care. The recipients range in ages from infant to teenagers and include adults with disabilities. Since the beginning, Operation Good Cheer has granted the wishes of over 65,000 participants.
Each year, thousands of generous volunteers gather to participate in Operation Good Cheer. Individuals and donor groups purchase and wrap the gifts from a child’s wish list. The gifts are then picked up at donor sites and transported by volunteer trucking companies and drivers to a centrally located airport. From there volunteer pilots and drivers then transport the gifts to local airports across the state of Michigan. Local agency volunteers gather at each airport to receive the gifts and deliver them to the children in foster care.
The generosity of so many makes sure that each child, some who would not otherwise receive anything, receive Christmas gifts and the joy of knowing that other people care. This year they procured over 15,000 presents that will bring over 5,700 children such delight and joy on Christmas morning.
The Child Welfare Program at Livingston County Catholic Charities is grateful to these generous donors and volunteers for helping to share the love and joy of Christmas to children who have suffered a very traumatic situation in their young lives. Additional thanks to Brighton Ford for donating the use of a Ford Transit to help pick-up the gifts from the Oakland County airport.
