Community opportunity to join Operation Family Christmas

The Cook County community is once again coming together to make the holidays brighter for families who may be struggling this holiday season. Operation Family Christmas is under way. 

Operation Family Christmas is a local program that works to ensure that all the children in our county wake up on Christmas morning to some presents under the tree. 

The program gathers names of families that may need some assistance in making the holiday special from various social agencies, churches, and the community. Tags are then made with general information about children needing a gift. It is entirely confidential. People who want to "adopt a child"  may take a tag bearing the child's age, gender, and gift suggestions. 

The tags are hung on decorated trees at the Grand Marais State Bank in Grand Marais and at the Lutsen and Grand Marais branches of the North Shore Federal Credit Union.

Operation Family Christmas asks that gifts be returned by December 16. Gifts should not be wrapped--organizers want the parents to see what their child is receiving and to have the opportunity to wrap the gift themselves. Organizer Jes Rodne adds that gift wrap or gift bags are welcome as donations as well. 

The program, like so many others, has been modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone who wants to take part, but doesn't want to go into the businesses with the trees may call Jes Rodne to get the information on a tag. They may then drop them off at the Cook County Community Center, which provides very limited public contact. 

If you'd like more information, contact Jes Rodne at 218-370-2019 or email [email protected]. 

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Jes Rodne to learn why she continues to be involved with Operation Family Christmas and how you can help make a child's Christmas sweeter.