The Good News Magazine

Operation Christmas

Since 1981, the light of Christmas has been shining brighter on the Mid Shore due to the efforts of volunteers with Operation Christmas. True to the Eastern Shore, the event began when local business owner Will Howard realized that a number of the ducks and geese hunted in Talbot County that fall were in freezers across the county because hunters from outside of the area had decided not to take their game home with them. Will, who owned Chambers Restaurant at the time, decided to cook the ducks and geese with some friends and distribute Christmas dinners to local families in need. Will solicited the help of his friend and local businessman Lord Sheldon “Scotty” Scott, of Easton, to identify families and help with the distribution. Scotty became Will’s co-chairman and has served as chairman of the event for the last 14 years.

Work begins for Operation Christmas at 7 a.m. on Christmas Day at the Easton Fire House with a group of about 100 volunteers, wrapping gifts, setting up tables, packaging groceries, and cooking the Christmas meal.

The event evolved over the last 28 years, initially being served in Will’s restaurant before moving to the Gold Room in the Tidewater Inn as the crowds got larger. One year Will solicited the help of friends Tim Kagan and Cliff Meredith and used a double-decker bus to deliver canned hams, Hershey bars and red roses to families in Easton and St. Michaels. Over the past 14 years, the event has been held at the Easton Fire House. Last year, Operation Christmas cooked nearly 1,000 Christmas dinners for residents on the Mid Shore.

Will reflects on why the event has been so special to his family over the years, recalling one specific memory about a volunteer who helped out one Christmas morning. “There was a woman decorating the tables with flowers that day and I asked someone who she was. I learned that she had lost her husband that week and had come to volunteer with us. I realized then that this event wasn’t just helping people who couldn’t afford Christmas or who were lonely, but we were providing a place for people who were having a difficult time with Christmas to serve others.”

Over the years, a number of individuals and businesses have generously contributed to Operation Christmas. A secret Santa Claus provides the majority of the meats and food for the Christmas Day meal. Other businesses that have contributed have included Trappe Frozen Food, Hopkins Sales, Neaton’s Tires, Aqua Pool, Willow Construction, Murdoch Gardens, as well as individuals, including Mr. and Mrs. Al Lawinds with the Talbot County Republican Women, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Isley, Joe Landgraff, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Griffin, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Griffin, Hannah Griffin, and Mr. and Mrs. Tripper Showell.

Scotty comments about his role as chairman of the event, “It takes a number of volunteers to make this event a success. Over the years the volunteers have introduced new things to make the event better, like the toys for the children and the recent addition of a winter coat drive. I am just one spoke in the wheel that keeps the event going year after year.”

Work begins at 7 a.m. on Christmas Day at the Easton Fire House with a group of 90 to 100 volunteers, wrapping gifts, setting up tables, packaging groceries, and cooking the Christmas meal. Each family receives a hot Christmas dinner, whether served at the Easton Fire House or delivered to their doorstep, as well as a box of groceries and wrapped Christmas gifts for the children.

Dr. Mike Fisher, of Easton, who has been volunteering with his family over the last few years, comments, “Being involved in Operation Christmas gets you thinking beyond the materialism of Christmas. It reminds you that there are a lot of people less fortunate than you.” He adds, “It’s a wonderful way to spend Christmas morning and we have also involved our children because we believe it is important that we pass these important messages on to them. They have been humbled by the experience as well.”

For Will, one of the favorite traditions of the Christmas meal served at the Easton Fire House is when Scotty and his volunteers form a circle with all of their guests, holding hands and giving thanks for the meal that has been prepared. Will comments, “There is nothing like that moment, seeing people of all generations and cultural backgrounds pausing together for a moment of thanks.”

As soon as the nearly 400 dinners are served at the Fire House, a cadre of volunteers takes to the roads, delivering close to 600 meals, boxes of groceries and gifts across the Mid Shore. It takes an army of volunteers to make the event a success.

Scotty comments, “People give to this program because the Lord has been good to them. It’s also a way for local people to help local people. We can really see the results of our giving locally by helping with this event.”

Scotty credits his own spirit of giving to his grandmother and grandfather who raised him on a chicken farm in Trappe. He recalls, “We all shared in our poverty back then. If I had holes in my shoes this week, you would have holes your shoes the next week.”

Scotty, who went on to serve in the Coast Guard in Connecticut, returned to Easton to run a gas station, then a car business, and for the last nine years, a used furniture, catering and transportation/moving business called Affordable Furniture and Collectibles on Washington Street in Easton.

Lord Sheldon “Scotty” Scott, of Easton, chairman of Operation Christmas, enjoys playing Santa to nearly 1,000 individuals on Christmas Day. Operation Christmas has been helping hundreds of families have a joyous holiday since 1981.

He comments, “I have been more than blessed in my life. I consider myself rich in different ways.” He adds, “Each of us has something we can offer to help others out. Just last week, one of my Operation Christmas volunteers came in somewhat depressed because she had just learned that her only brother in New Jersey had been diagnosed with cancer. Since she was elderly, she had not seen him in many years and didn’t know if she would see him again. I decided I could help her out by taking her to see her brother before he died. It was a surprise to her and her brother. Seeing them embrace again brought tears to my eyes.”

Scotty hopes that this year especially, because of the declining economy, that individuals and businesses will find the extra in their pockets to help with Operation Christmas.

Although the event has grown tremendously since its beginnings in 1981, Scotty acknowledges that there are new needs to be met. Because of the growing number of Spanish families attending the event, he needs more Spanish speaking volunteers to assist with preparing extra Spanish menu items, greeting guests and serving the meals. Each year, community members are asked to donate non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats. Cash donations are also accepted.

Scotty encourages anyone interested in volunteering or donating to Operation Christmas, or any families in need, to call him ahead of time at 410-822-1475.