Our 2021 Family Adoption Registration 
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Amazing! We had requests for over 400 families before we kicked off OCS on Nov. 11th. This is twice the normal requests we receive that early, so we are playing catch up. Each family-donor pairing takes a minimum of 20 minutes, so you can imagine how hard our volunteers are working. They are working around the clock to honor all requests made. 

* If you have already signed up for a family, please rest assured your wish list is coming, although it may arrive in your inbox later than we originally anticipated due to the volume of requests. We are an ALL VOLUNTEER organization-- thank you for your patience. 

All of our family wish lists are now spoken for but there are other ways to help: 

​...................sign up to host a gift card drive here..................or...................sign up to collect toys for us here.......................or................pledge single service member gifts here and get started right away! 

 Operation Christmas Spirit, going 18 years strong, is comprised of family "adoptions," single service member gifts, unit Christmas party support, volunteer opportunities, and toy collections for children of service members. Hands down, the focus and most important piece of this project is our family "adoption" program.  Families are vetted through unit nominations and/or applications for Christmas assistance. Once a family is approved for the program, they fill out a family wish list.  These wish lists are shared only with the donor(s) we pair them with to make their Christmas wishes come true. ​

Due to a high volume of requests for help and to be a helping hand, our all-volunteer leaders are extremely busy.  Please look over ALL the information on this website to find the information you need.
If -- after looking over everything-- you have questions, please email them to cfarnum@operationhelpahero.org.

Scroll through or download this PDF for Information about
​Operation Christmas Spirit 2021

This Year's Timeline

​​Wish Lists Distributed
We are currently working on adoption requests. If you have signed up prior to our "pause" rest assured you will receive a family wish list, It may take longer than our original projected timeline due to volume of requests. 
​Deadlines for Mailed/Direct -shipped Gifts
​Due to shipping and supply chain issues we anticipate this year, we are asking all donors mailing gifts to shoot for gifts to ARRIVE by December 12th​
Drop-off Dates
​Dec 10-16th (depending on location of family)
Family Gift Pick up Dates
December 12-17
Important to know: 
  • Wish lists we provide "adopters" include gift ideas for each family member, needs, hobbies, sizes, and more.
  • Gifts are dropped or mailed to our volunteers who help organize and coordinate gift pick ups with families.
  • We do NOT arrange for personal drop offs to families to protect their privacy and yours.  Most families write cards and make contact with donors after Christmas in thanks, but with years of experience doing this, we know that the overwhelming majority of families prefer a private pick up. 
  • We do NOT take requests to find families in areas outside of our hub areas. We MAY end up having families in your area participate, but because families out of our hub areas apply for Christmas assistance, we go with families where the help is needed. We are amazed each year by how the Spirit of Christmas brings people even in the most remote areas together (the stories we could tell!), but we can't predict where needs will be this early. 

Send e-gift card donations to:  
Cindy at cfarnum@operationhelpahero.org to be used for families who reach out later in the season. Please also email her separately to make sure she is on the lookout. 

Mail gift cards or checks to: 
Operation Help a Hero
26247 Enterprise Ct.
Lake Forest, Ca 92630