Operation Christmas Star delivers over 4,000 toys in Merced County

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The joyousness of Christmas came a fewer days aboriginal successful Merced County for implicit 4,000 children connected Thursday and Friday.

For respective months, hundreds of toys person been collected for a peculiar two-day tradition, Operation Christmas Star.

"For me, it's each astir the smiles and conscionable seeing the excitement and joyousness connected their face. Right now, times are hard and it feels bully to springiness backmost to the community," said Maurice Celestine with Cal Fire.

The Merced County Sheriff's Office, Probation Department and Cal Fire person partnered for 8 years, helping marque Christmas other memorable.

Every artifact was wrapped and personally delivered 1 location astatine a time.

"It's conscionable a wholesome infinitesimal due to the fact that they besides comprehend america successful a antithetic way. We are present to springiness them backmost thing and they're happy," said Merced County Deputy Alexandra Britton.

Sarah Baker, a parent of 4 successful Planada, calling it a blessing particularly portion inactive trying to retrieve aft her location flooded a fewer years ago.

"Some radical mislaid everything. For me, I mislaid everything. And a batch of radical helped out," said Sarah Baker.

Courtnie Cuteri was successful tears, besides feeling thankful that her 2 children got a small much this year.

"The system has been rough, the paychecks haven't been truly making it," said Courtnie Cuteri.

Heartfelt reactions and excitement that galore accidental is ever appreciated.

"They bring a batch of smiles to a batch of kids present successful Planada. They are doing a large job," said Planada resident, Antonio Rodriguez.

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