Sarah Brown
The holiday season is a time for inspiration, and inspiration can come in many forms.
For Trisha Van Eck, it was the Hallmark movie “Operation Christmas,” a story about a single mother who did something special for military families on base who were missing their loved ones.
“It was a really heartfelt movie,” Van Eck said. “They took gifts to the kids for the parents that were gonna be gone at Christmas.”
After Van Eck, who is scheduling secretary for the Sweet Home School District, finished watching the movie, she knew she wanted to do something similar in Sweet Home.
“I told my husband I think it would be fun to do something for kids in our school district for the families that have parents that are deployed,” she said.
Her answer: Operation Happy Hearts.
Children who have a military parent deployed during Christmas shared their wish lists with Operation Happy Hearts, and anyone wanting to buy gifts for the kids are invited to pick up a tag at the school district office.
During a meeting to kick off the operation, Van Eck asked the children to share with the group some of the things they’re hoping to get for Christmas.
“It’s just something a little extra special since you have a parent gone,” Van Eck said. “We want to make it a happy Christmas for you guys.”
Pokemon was mentioned a couple times, and one girl said she wants a unicorn and a Hawthorne Hornet school necklace.
Additionally, Van Eck will take the kids on a shopping trip to buy a present for the parents, who are stationed in Kuwait and Qatar for the holiday.
“He’s a great dad and he always works hard for our country,” said Ethan, 11, whose dad is in the Air Force.
The presents will be mailed overseas along with a care package.
Tags for Operation Happy Hearts can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the district office, 1920 Long St. Gifts must be returned by Friday, Dec. 20, wrapped with the child’s tag attached.