Operation Blue Christmas brings hope to families in need this holiday season

Operation Blue Christmas, a nearly 14-year-old mission, has been reignited to help families this Christmas season.

The operation is a collaborative mission among officers of Morganton Public Safety, N.C. State Highway Patrol, and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office to provide a “Merry Christmas” to families in need.

The officers join together to fundraise the money to purchase whatever is needed — gift cards for groceries, clothing for kids and parents, a new bed, money to pay utilities, and so on. Many businesses and individuals donate to the charity to help Burke County families experiencing hard times, whether it is a struggling single mother or a family member with cancer.

The families are nominated by members of the community and reviewed by OBC. Every last penny raised goes to these families only. The money goes through the Burke Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation (LEAF).

Dating back to 2010, the operation has helped around 30 families. This is the first year of the program since its suspension during COVID.

In the months following Hurricane Helene, OBC’s organizers saw the need more than ever to help their community’s families. Two nominees have been sponsored this year: A family whose mother had a serious illness and a high school student who is essentially the sole provider for the family.

A swarm of officers gathered together at MPS on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 19, to load up their vehicles and surprise the families. The crew loaded up a boxed trampoline and grabbed various gift cards and bundles of wrapped/bagged presents.

Three of those organizers are Morganton’s Assistant Chief Keith Bowman and Detective Donny Dellinger, along with Sheriff Deputy Tyler Gantt. The three along with other officers have been spreading the word about the fundraiser. Gantt was the one who revamped the Facebook page.

Bowman explained that the beautiful thing about the fundraiser is all the nominations come in the form of a description, so the focus is on their story without regard to their identities.

“We look at the needs versus who they are,” Bowman said.

In the past, the whole operation was a big secret. The nominator knew the family well and could get access to the home, Bowman explained. The officers swoop in and set up the home with decorations and gifts suited for the families. “We try to do it without their knowledge,” he said.

Sometimes the operations shift “on the fly,” Gantt said. When they get to these homes, the situation may be different than they originally planned.

Dellinger thought back to when they saw kids’ beds on the floor, so the operation went out and bought beds and bed frames. When the children came out, they got a Christmas surprise of a freshly made bed. Another time, a family’s floor needed repairs, so they found a carpenter.

“It lightens their load. … We are all one bad day away from hardships,” Dellinger said. “We can relieve some of the burden.”

LOCAL SUPPORT

Another important aspect of the operation is that everything is locally based: The families, the Christmas shopping, and other needed resources.

“It’s not possible without the support from local businesses. … We get a lot of support from community partners,” Gantt said.

These local supporters donated to this year’s Operation Blue Christmas:

• Allstate Insurance: Morgan Agency
• Kevin Castro Coldwell Banker
• Morganton Moose Lodge 193
• Paramount Ford/Hyundai
• Town of Rutherford College
• Chapman’s Bail Bonds
• Chick-fil-A
• Town of Connelly Springs
• Morganton Savings Bank
• Wall Lumber
• Catawba Valley Pet Cremation

It’s not too late to donate. Last-minute situations arise and any remaining money will go toward the next OBC.

Donations can be dropped off at MPS headquarters at 304 S. College St., with checks payable to Operation Blue Christmas or Burke LEAF.