Operation Smile ecstatic about donations
Operation Smile Club members are anxious for the annual opening of the Free Holiday Store. Every winter, Operation Smile works to help the families in our own community.
This free holiday store is open one day to the public, and also opens the following day for needy families in the Sycamore Community.
Operation Smile also collects donations later in the school year. They will be setting up bins by the front office the week after Thanksgiving. They accept both old and new items, but prefer the old to be only slightly used.
“This year, the PTO has agreed to help fund our club and the Free Holiday Store,” said Tamara Brewer, the advisor for Operation Smile.
Other schools are also helping out Operation Smile. Blue Ash Elementary will be collecting hygiene products, and Sycamore Junior High will collect warm materials such as coats for the winter.
“Also, the Central Office of Sycamore is collecting food. We [Operation Smile] collect everything; so anything people would be willing to donate we accept,” said Brewer.
So, what is this Free Holiday Store anyway? Put simply, it is just like a superstore but smaller, and everything is free. It contains any items these families might want or need, from soap to toys.
This store is only open during the assigned weekend in winter to families that need it. Volunteers walk around and help these families shop.
Sycamore’s Operation Smile shows their compassion during the winter season by collecting donations as well as giving up their time to help people they have never met before. They are eager to continue helping others this year.