City Brings Joy to Families through Operation Holiday Cheer
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, 150 families gathered to enjoy a holiday lunch and a visit from Santa at the 47th annual Operation Holiday Cheer. The City of Albuquerque’s Health and Social Services Centers partnered with Kirtland Air Force Base for the annual event at Cesar Chavez Community Center. Kirtland Air Force Base active and retired firefighters served lunch, including homemade pozole and kid-friendly options, like chicken nuggets.
”Operation Holiday Cheer is a heartwarming event designed to bring joy and togetherness to families this holiday season,” said Ronnie Dexter, Retired Assistant Chief of the Kirtland Fire Department.
“For the many years I have been involved in this holiday program, I've enjoyed seeing the smiles on people's faces,” said Terence Eaton, Battalion Chief of Kirtland Fire Department. “A diverse collective of folks makes this possible. I aim to inspire young people to actively participate in similar programs or even create a community outreach program.”
After lunch, Santa paid the kids a visit and handed out toys.
Isaiah Chavez, who attended the event, says “My experience was fun and exciting because there was a lot of joy and happiness. I had fun meeting Santa, and I got what I wanted.”
“We will continue to step up to help families make special memories during the holiday season,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re grateful for our partners who help us fulfill our mission to make our City the best place for families, especially during the holidays.”
“Seeing the children's faces light up when Santa walks through the door makes this event worth it each year,” said Mayan Armijo, Manager of the Health and Social Services Division. “I want to thank Kirtland Air Force Base for being a strong partner in creating an event that families look forward to each year.”
In addition to the visit from Santa, families enjoyed holiday music and activities for the kids. Albuquerque Fire Rescue brought a firetruck, and Biopark Staff brought animals for kids to learn about.
“The ABQ BioPark is proud to have been a part of this holiday celebration for many years,” said Chazz Peterson, BioPark science education coordinator. “It is an honor to support the community through this event and help foster meaningful connections between people and nature while we teach them about the amazing animals and plants at the BioPark.
The event was also funded through a number of community partners who contributed significantly to Operation Holiday Cheer, including Honeywell.
This was the third year the event was held at Cesar Chavez Community Center.
The City’s four Health and Social Services Centers offer numerous services to low and moderate-income residents, ranging from eviction prevention to food and clothing assistance.
Find more information about our Health and Social Services Centers and the resources they offer by going to here.