Operation Help A Hero
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Spreading the Spirit of Christmas to those who serve asking for nothing in return.

Operation Christmas Spirit is Operation Help a Hero's annual project which supports local military families in the form of holiday support

This year, OHH will "adopt" 83 military families and make their Christmas wish lists a reality.

 
The families who benefit from our annual OCS drives are identified by leadership in chosen, deploying units as those who could use Christmas assistance, a little TLC or they simply deserve a special thank you from the citizens they serve.

10 Ways YOU can support a  military family this holiday season:
1. "Adopt" a family with your group, school or business. Email "adoption" coordinator, Kristen Lanham at kristenlanham@me.com
2. Purchase a wish list item from our Angel Tree. 
3. Donate gift cards for families to purchase their own Christmas gifts and needed items. 
4. Donate toys for children ages 1-12.
5. Make and donate handmade holiday goodies -- blankets, crafts, ornaments, cookies, etc. for us to add into our Christmas baskets.
6. Assemble and create holiday craft kits for families to assemble together. 
7. Donate online (link at top of page) with a note for OCS, and we'll do shopping for you.
8. Donate gifts families can use together -- games, movie tickets, amusement park tickets, photo sessions, etc.
9. Donate your services and talents -- hair stylists, photographers, self defense lessons, etc.
10. Donate a holiday meal -- box up and decorate goods for a family to cook up a holiday meal of their own or donate grocery gift cards.

Operation Christmas Spirit 2011 will support families from the following units: 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 2/4, 1st CEB, 1st LAR, 5th Marines HQ Co, 2/1, 3/1, and 1st Recon.

 

OHH would like to thank St. John's School and the City of Rancho Santa Margarita for graciously hosting gift delivery and pick-up sites. A very special thank you to Guazzos Catering and Tutto Fresco who provided breakfast and lunch to our special recipients.

HOW to Help...

To donate:
  • Make online donations through our website through PayPal. 
  • Send check, cash, and gift card donations to: Operation Help a Hero, PO Box 80996, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca 92688
  • Drop toys and gift cards to the City of Rancho Santa Margarita's Bell Tower Community Center: 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca 92688
To "Adopt" a family with your small group, business or church group:
  • Contact our "adoption" coordinator, Kristen Lanham at kristenlanham@me.com . 
  • Our goal for each adopted family: Gift cards ($300-$500 in gift cards to enable families to purchase their own gifts and needed items), 2 gifts per adult, 3 gifts per family member, 1 gift for the whole family (to do together) and a Christmas themed basket full of home made goodies from members of the community. 
  • On December 6th, groups that "adopt" families will have the chance to "shop" our general collection of donations to put towards their family gifts, join us for a wrapping party and meet others working in support of our military heroes.
To purchase an item from our Angel Tree:
  • Contact our Angel Tree coordinator, Cindy Farnum at cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com 
  • Visit a "live" Angel Tree to peruse needed items at St. John's School 30382 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca 92688 each morning and afternoon, November 14-16 and November 28-2nd
  • Check back on THIS PAGE for an updated Angel Tree wish list, which will be posted each date staring November 14th through December 6th

Here is a basic timeline for our 2011 Operation Christmas Spirit Drive:
  • Mid-October: OCS Committee met to go over requests and select unit recipients
  • End of October: wish lists distributed to chosen units (deploying units only)
  • November 1st: Wish lists due from units
  • November 7-30th: families assigned to donors/ angel trees
  • December 6th:  Early Bird Adoption Drops and Gift Wrapping Parties. 1-4pm at St. John's School.   6-9pm at RSM City Hall/Bell Tower Ballroom #2
  • December 7th: Gift distributions and Christmas parties
  • December 13th: Arroyo Vista Holiday Care Packs

Operation Christmas Spirit Coordinators and Contact Information:
  • Michelle Walters, City of RSM coordinator, SJES elementary school coordinator mimi.walters@cox.net
  • Kristen Lanham, Family Adoption coordinator, Christmas Basket coordinator kristenlanham@me.com
  • Cindy Farnum, Angel Tree coordinator, SJES Marine Ministries Team coordinator, volunteer coordinator cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com
  • Cindy Campbell, SJES site coordinator, SJES  middle school coordinator ccampbell@stjohns-es.org
  • Wendy Ruiz, OHH HoHo Christmas Party for Operation Enduring Support coordinator ruiz01@cox.net
  • Michele Chenault, Saddleback Valley Christian School drive coordinator mrschenault@cox.net
  • Christy Wrightson, brunch coordinator wrightsons@cox.net
  • Connie Thompson, luncheon coordinator
  • Robin Grier and Chris Vallis, gift drop off coordinators, RSM site December 7th
To contribute homemade goods:
  • If you would like to contribute a home made item to add to our Christmas Baskets, please contact Cindy Farnum at cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com 
  • We are currently looking for -blankets, -holiday decorations, -ornaments, -holiday cookies, -holiday treats
  • We also are looking for groups to assemble holiday craft kits for families to create together
To donate your time/talents to a family: 
  • Contact our "adoption" coordinator, Kristen Lanham at kristenlanham@me.com to discuss which family your donation of time will best serve.
  • We are looking for photographers, stylists, personal trainers, and massage therapists who might be willing to donate their services as gifts.
To volunteer for our Gift Wrapping and "Prep" Day:
Contact Cindy Farnum at cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com to sign up for our 1-4pm event at St. John's School.
Contact Michelle Walters at mimi.walters@cox.net to sign up for our 6-9pm event at the RSM Bell Tower


Angel Tree Wish List and Large Items Requested

 
 Tool set (needs screwdrivers)
 
 Bedding for queen sized bed
 
 Washer/Dryer
 
 Blender for baby food/formula
    
 Gas Gift Card (Shell closest station to family commuting to hospital and back)
 
Bunk beds
 
 Toys for 4 year old girl (loves Little Pet Shop, strawberry shortcake)
 
 Haircuts for family of 5
 
 Children's book shelf
 
Newborn clothes and diapers
 
 Queen size bed
 
Couch for family of 6
 
TV for living room
 
Learning toys for a 5 year old boy
 
 Kitchen table and 4 chairs
 
 Gift card to Kohls
 
Razor scooter
 
Tickets to Legoland
 
Family portraits
 
Disney movies for 18 month old girl
 
Size 3 and 4 diapers
 
Crib