OPERATION SANTA

Operation Santa – Adopting Families in the Greater St Paul area since 1992.

Who are we?

This program is funded by employees of Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center (RCECC). It was originally started by a Saint Paul Communications Center Operator many years ago and we are proud that the program has evolved into a county-wide operation. Operation Santa, however, is not sponsored by the county or Saint Paul, it is produced purely by employees banding together to make the unimaginable happen.

Who do we help?

Every year around the Holidays we “adopt” families in need keeping our emphasis on the kids.  These families first have to apply to our committee, meet certain criteria and go through an in-person interview process. This program is designed to help only the families that truly need assistance.  By keeping this process in tact we are able to focus our time, money and efforts on the families most in need.

What do we do?

After interviews, we usually adopt 10-15 families. We inquire as to what they need, children’s clothing sizes and some toys they just have to have. Our goal is to provide items the family really needs and also to give gifts they can only wish for. We organize the information, making it available to RCECC employees as well as the city and county Police and Fire departments. Then, at the end of December we deliver. Fire trucks, police cars, lights, sirens, Santa and his elves show up at the family’s door.  Bringing gifts, candy and Holiday jingles; it can be a tad overwhelming and quite breath-taking!

What’s not included?

Press. No news crews, video cameras, reporters. No information from our families will ever be shared with anyone other than city and county employees. We come in, sing and open a gift or two and leave. There is an internal photographer that will take pictures to be delivered to the families at a later date – trust us, 99% of parents are so awestruck they forget they have their camera in hand.