One of Kirtland’s biggest charitable events of the year will take place Dec. 20, and organizers are looking for donations and volunteers to help make it a success.
Operation Holiday Cheer is hosted by the base’s firefighters and has been an annual holiday tradition for 39 years. The first event hosted approximately 30 seniors from the surrounding community. They were brought to the fire department and given a meal and a gift. The program has since grown to serve between 1,500 and 2,000 people each year.
In addition feeding more than 400 families at a fire station on base, the program distributes 125 food baskets throughout the surrounding community and about 1,500 new and high-quality toys to children of the families who participate. Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children and give them a gift.