Giving the gift of Christmas
Operation Christmas Spirit mimics the first Christmas: bringing hope and love to those in humble circumstances.
Mary Haskett
Special to Spur Ottawa
“I saw someone offering a free turkey on Kijiji to a family who couldn’t afford one,” says Meggan Larson. “I thought it was a fantastic thing to do. My husband and I looked at the barely used toys our children had and decided to put together a package of dinner and gifts for a family. Some of our family members and friends joined us and the rest is history!”
Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer right after this initial act of kindness, Larson and her husband were recipients of an outpouring of love and generosity from the Kanata/Stittsville community.
“They rallied around my family and provided us with meals, baked goods, gift cards, diapers, and clothing for our kids,” she says. “To experience the love and kindness of so many strangers was incredible. I really saw them as the hands and feet of Jesus.”
The following year, December 2012, Larson asked friends and people she had met through her own journey whether they would partner with her in a new giving ministry. A hundred people offered to help and Operation Christmas Spirit took off.
In the lead up to Christmas, a call goes out to churches and the community to donate gifts and food for Christmas dinners.
Numerous churches have joined the ministry and even some local businesses, like Stittsville’s Tag Along Toys and Kiddie Kobbler. Operation Christmas Spirit also has a fund raising team, now, that organizes photo shoots and bake sales to help raise money.
Through word of mouth, Larson finds out about families in need, most of whom are reluctant to express their need. As gifts come in, they are sorted according to the needs of local families.
Last year alone, Operation Christmas Spirit provided 84 families with Christmas dinners and packages of gifts. All combined, in the last three years, Operation Christmas Spirit has helped more than 800 people.
“Each gift is labelled, ‘Love Jesus,’” Larson states. “He’s the reason I do this and as long as I run this ministry, every gift will always be from Jesus.”
Similar Articles
The table where everyone can be family
While many ministries provide free meals for students and those in need, The Open Table has a somewhat unique goal: they aim for all who come to feel accepted and for those who aren’t Christians to experience what a church community feels like […]
Jonah’s surprise
Parents of special-needs kids know their children bring a unique perspective to the world. They can bring amazing highs, especially when they reach significant milestones, like graduation. Reaching […]
Bridging the gap for girls
Sanitary kits are bridging the gaps in education for girls in developing countries. Missing days of school each month is not a situation which many […]
Retiree’s full-time job saves lives
Cyril Winter has made a full-time job of standing outside the Bank Street abortion clinic, advocating Life. For the past five years, he’s had little reason to think he’s making a difference…until now.
Seeing challenges, but seeking God
Martha Marentette’s life changed dramatically in 2014. She was diagnosed with mouth cancer, but her experience is far from the doom and gloom so often heard. Together with her family, she says it was a time to draw nearer to God, living […]
Respond Ottawa launches website to support frontline charities
As ministries and charities ramp up services, many are struggling with logistical barriers to restoring their programs. On June 19, Respond Ottawa launched a new website (FrontLineOttawa.com) to highlight […]