“Thanksgiving dinners will be going out Saturday and Sunday of this week,” Tammy Kish, fundraiser coordinator for the Feed a Family and Toys for Kids programs, said on Thursday. “Then, after we get all this out, we start immediately on the Toys for Kids program to help the children have a Christmas. Our motto is ‘no child left behind.'”

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 583 and Associates of VVA 583 have been heading up the programs for 32 years as part of their Operation Holidays initiative. Kish has been involved since 1994.

“Thirty-two years, this program has been going strong to help out our community,” Kish said. “But it’s our community that makes this program work … We couldn’t do this without them.”

Wayne Trapp is the president of VVA 583.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley

“They kind of depend on it now, since we’ve been doing it for so many years,” Trapp said. “The need is there.”

Both Kish and Trapp are fixtures at Operation Holidays headquarters, located next to the old Neiman’s building at 2205 U.S.-23 in Alpena. Heading into December, Kish is there nearly all hours of the day and often into the night, organizing and wrapping gifts for children in the four-county area the program serves: Alpena, Alcona, Presque Isle, and Montmorency.

Donations of unwrapped toys, hats, gloves, books, puzzles, games, art supplies, and stocking stuffers are needed for ages newborn to 17. Kish said the age group that is often the hardest to fill is ages 11 to 17, so items for that age group would be greatly appreciated. She said if you are unsure of what to purchase, taking a teen shopping with you would help find the right items, and give them a chance to participate in a charitable deed with you to benefit the community.

If you are unable to donate, volunteers are always welcome to come wrap gifts. Open wrapping is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Operation Holidays headquarters is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Call Kish with questions at 989-464-5588.

Wrapping paper and tape donations are also needed, and can be dropped off any time the center is open.

A holiday bottle drive is also happening this year to raise funds, so bring bottles and cans between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Call Kish with questions.

Baked goods can be dropped off in early December for the bake sales that will be taking place in various locations Dec. 4 through 17, with all proceeds to Toys for Kids. Locations will be announced daily on True North Radio (107.7 FM).

If you would like to make a monetary donation, checks may be mailed to VVA 583, P.O. Box 792, Alpena, Michigan 49707.

If you are a family in need, or you know of a family who could benefit from Toys for Kids, call Judy at 989-358-9085 by 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. Christmas delivery will take place during the day on Dec. 9 and 10 and Dec. 16 and 17.

Toys for Kids encourages the community to support them for Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28 by donating or mailing a check.

Kish said donations have been lighter than usual so far this year, but she is hoping that more will come pouring in soon.

“Anything is appreciated,” Kish said. “Every single bit of it helps.”

Kish and Trapp noted that many community partners have generously donated items and space to help make the program a success.

“It’s our whole community that makes our program work,” Kish said.