Operation Christmas Joy is strong community effort

The Springfield Rotary Club last week distributed gifts to 55 families in the Springfield community — thanks to generous donations from businesses, agencies, clubs and individuals.

The distribution was made possible through the local Operation Christmas Joy program that is a community effort to strengthen the celebration of Christmas for families in our community. 

The mission of Operation Christmas Joy is to provide food and gifts and spread the joy of the holidays to families with determined needs. The families who received gifts were nominated by people of our community.

 The gifts included a large assortment of toys, warm caps and mittens, and hand-made quilts as well as food.

Rotarians elected to tackle the project that was carried out in recent years by the Springfield Lions Club that has disbanded. The program was begun by the Springfield Jaycees 37 years ago. 

The program has received strong community support through the years; and has shown the Springfield spirit of sharing and caring.