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Operation Christmas Cheer

Operation Christmas CheerUnder the auspices of Santa’s Sleigh we run a simple effort every year that we call Operation Christmas Cheer.

Operation Christmas Cheer aims to make the holiday season brighter for those folks who might be shut-in or otherwise unable to participate much in the festivities of the season. We look to bring the cheer to them.

The inspiration for this was my Mom, who had seen her world become smaller and smaller due to declining health.

In the last years of her life we were able to get her into my home for a few hours at Christmas time and she greatly admired the dozens and dozens of Christmas cards our family received via our annual Christmas card exchange.

Wistfully she told me, in the spirit of It’s a Wonderful Life, “No man is a failure who has friends”.

There was a time when she used to get many Christmas cards for Christmas. But as she got older and her friends faded away — and as she physically grew unable to continue to send out cards of her own — she received just a precious few.

Wouldn’t it be great to flood her mailbox with cards from folks all over the world?

~ Be a Card Sender ~

We need folks willing to send cards to the list. This is meant to be simple. Just sign up and once the list is ready, we’ll send it to you.

In fact, we’ll give you an incentive to do it! Participate and we’ll give you a 3-month Premiere Membership to MyMerryChristmas.

If you’re already a member at the Merry Forums, we’ll add to or extend your premiere membership for free. That’s how much we want to do this!

~ Add a Name to the List ~

That is what we did and what we have done now for several Christmases for a few folks. It never fails to lift their spirits and brighten their season. It helps us too!

It seems such a small thing.

For those who are elderly or ill or who are shut-in for whatever reason, Christmas coming to their mailbox can be a real boost.

We can do that, can’t we? We can lift their spirits!

If you know of someone — a neighbor, a family member or just a friend — who could use the love of Operation Christmas Cheer just add their name to the list. Be prepared to tell us a little about them and where we can send their cards.

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
‘Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

oc16

Father of 7, Grandfather of 7, husband of 1. Freelance writer, Major League baseball geek, aspiring Family Historian.