The elves of McClain County Operation Christmas have called it done for the 2019 holiday.
Gifts and food baskets were distributed to recipients Friday at the Multi-Purpose Center, Dibble School and Newcastle.
“It went really good,” chief elf Peggy Christian said on Monday.
She explained that people numbers were down this year while donations were up.
“Those are all good signs,” she said. “Our goal is to go out of business.”
About 850 McClain County residents will have a brighter Christmas this year thanks to the charity.
In years past, the number of recipients has averaged about 1,000.
Donations this year were “tremendous,” Christian said.
One man showed up Friday during the distribution to give Operation Christmas a check for $5,000.
Among the gifts that will appear beneath Christmas trees are 27 bicycles.
“Almost all new,” Christian said.
The Indian Territory Roundup Club sponsored a jackpot barrel race competition on December 14. Riders donated a toy in addition to paying a cash entry fee to compete.
Christian called the pickup load of gifts “seed toys” for next year.
Food drives at schools in Wayne, Washington, Dibble, Newcastle and Purcell exceeded all expectations.
Purcell High School students alone collected more than 6,000 cans of food.
Excess food was given to Dibble Senior Citizens, the Little Dragon Pantry and the food pantry at First Baptist Church in Purcell.
Christian spent much of Monday walking the streets to express gratitude to individuals and businesses that supported McClain County Operation Christmas.
“I thank the whole town,” for that support, she added.
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