Community
The Livingston Police Department, with help from the Park County Sheriff's Office, will deliver gifts to about 190 kids this week. These gifts were purchased, sorted, gift wrapped and packaged by local volunteers and will be delivered by law enforcement to families beginning December 17th through the 19th.
The effort, titled Operation Christmas Caring, has been helping families in need give Christmas gifts to their children for many years. The Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YGBR) spearheaded the efforts up until last year with help from Livingston Recreation and many donor and volunteer organizations and individuals. YBGR sought others to run the program this year, and community members came together recently to continue the tradition.
Livingston resident Angela Devani previously volunteered for the program and stepped up this year with very little notice to coordinate all efforts. Devani worked with Pastor Darryl Brunson to arrange for Expedition Church to be the program’s fiscal sponsor for this year. YBGR turned over all resources and individuals, businesses and organizations contributed additional funds and time and effort to shop and organize gifts. The church met all remaining funding needs, and the undertaking will reach its heartwarming conclusion after countless volunteer hours this week.
“It is very moving to see the sight of all of the officers' vehicles picking up the first round of packages,” says Devani.
Contributors to Operation Christmas Caring this year are Expedition Church, Livingston Police Department, Park County Sheriff’s Office, City of Livingston, Adult Support Prevention Education Network (ASPEN), Livingston Food Resource Center, Livingston Recreation Department, Livingston Home Outfitters, Montessori Island, Parks Reece Gallery, Livingston’s ACE Hardware, Women’s Action Project and many individuals who donated gifts and volunteered.
Many of the agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals participating in Operation Christmas Caring also provide vital services and funding throughout the year to build a strong, healthy community and encourage the public to reach out to tap into the resources that they provide. Other organizations in our area are working to provide gifts to the community in similar ways include Human Resource Development Council, Parent Liaisons from One Health, Livingston HealthCare, The Giving Tree of Park County and others.
For questions about Operation Christmas Caring contact OCClivingston@gmail.com.