Operation Hope, a program through Hope Christian Church, served 101 families this holiday season, helping them with Christmas gifts for children. Many people, civic organizations, and businesses supported Operation Hope this year by donating countless hours and items to shower more than 200 children with toys, socks, hats and gloves or mittens, etc.

Donations were received from Waterloo Kiwanis and Columbia Kiwanis and many local residents.  The Operation Hope Giving Tree presented opportunities for local businesses to offer customers a chance to join in with the Christmas spirit.

Businesses that volunteered to house a Giving Tree were Championship Marital Arts and Oak Hill Nursing Home. When an ornament on a Giving Tree asked for one pair of jeans for a child, sponsors were purchasing two pairs of jeans and a shirt.  The Waterloo and Columbia Kiwanis showered the project with toys from the community.

The residents of Monroe County once again showed themselves to be a truly generous community.