Our 2024 Family Adoption Registration is NOW OPEN!

 Operation Christmas Spirit, going 20 years strong, is comprised of family "adoptions," single service member gifts, unit Christmas party support, volunteer opportunities, gift card drives to help families in crisis, 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. ​

Operation Christmas Spirit 2024
Family Adoptions

Please scroll down to see a current list of families in need of assistance. 

If you want to help, please consider donating online here or read through the information below before registering to "adopt" a family.
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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  private 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. 
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  • 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  where the help is needed. 

This Year's Timeline

​​Wish Lists Distribution Goals
*Note that there may delays depending on number of sign ups-- this is just an estimate*
November 20-21 for donors registered by October 15th.

November 22-23 for those registered between October 16th and November 1st

November 24-November 25  for those registered between November 2nd and November 15th.

November 26th, and 30th for those registered between November 16th and November 20th.

Please note our volunteers will NOT be working over the Thanksgiving holiday November 27-29th

December 1-5th, we will post specific family needs online for last minute "adoptions" and online donors support until all of our wait list families are taken care of for Christmas. 
​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 10th
Drop-off Dates
Dec 13-14th (depending on location of family)
Family Gift Pick up Dates
December 15-16 varies by location




PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE NOW TAKING FAMILIES OFF OUR WAIT LIST. IF YOU SIGN UP TO ADOPT A FAMILY, IT MAY TAKE A DAY OR TWO TO GET A WISH LIST FILLED OUT.  

ALL GIFTS FOR ADOPTED FAMILIES ARE DUE BY DECEMBER 14TH. AFTER DECEMBER 14TH WE WILL USE ONLINE DONATIONS AND GIFT CARDS TO HELP FAMILIES RIGHT UP TO CHRISTMAS DAY.