Operation Holiday Cheer

Santa Claus visits with 6-year-old Jonathon Montellano at Operation Holiday Cheer Dec. 18, one of Kirtland's biggest charitable events of the year. More than 1,000 people from the local community were fed, and hundreds of new toys were delivered to children. The annual event was hosted by the Kirtland Fire Department. (Photo by Todd Berenger)

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Operation Holiday Cheer

Food is served at Operation Holiday Cheer Dec. 18, one of Kirtland's biggest charitable events of the year. Hundreds of volunteers helped prepare and serve food at the event, which fed more than 1,000 from the local community. In addition, hundreds of new toys were delivered to children. The annual event is hosted by the Kirtland Fire Department. (Photo by Todd Berenger)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Operation Holiday Cheer

Food is served at Operation Holiday Cheer Dec. 18, one of Kirtland's biggest charitable events of the year. Hundreds of volunteers helped prepare and serve food at the event, which fed more than 1,000 from the local community. In addition, hundreds of new toys were delivered to children. (Photo by Todd Berenger)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Operation Holiday Cheer

Food is served at Operation Holiday Cheer Dec. 18, one of Kirtland's biggest charitable events of the year. Hundreds of volunteers helped prepare and serve food at the event, which fed more than 1,000 from the local community. (Photo by Todd Berenger)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Operation Holiday Cheer feeds more than 2,000 people

Published Dec. 19, 2013
By Kendahl Johnson
377th Air Force Base Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Operation Holiday Cheer, one of Kirtland's biggest charitable events of the year, broke records in feeding more than 2,000 people.

Ronnie Dexter, event director, said he was pleased they were able to feed so many people.

"This event is our way of letting members of the community know how much we care about them," Dexter said. "It's amazing how much it's grown and we are so pleased to be able to give something back."

The event, hosted annually by the Kirtland Fire Department, has been a holiday tradition for 35 years. The first event hosted approximately 30 seniors from the surrounding community.

In addition to feeding more than 400 families, the program also distributed about 1,500 new and high-quality toys to children of the families who participated.

About 50 turkeys, 50 gallons of enchiladas, 40 gallons of posole, 50 gallons of mashed potatoes, and "immeasurable desserts" were served.

Dexter said they couldn't have had so much success if it weren't for the support of volunteers, as well as local businesses who donate food stores and supplies needed for food preparation. Contributors include Bueno Foods, Chili's, Golden Corral, Kirtland's Dining Facility, Mountain View Club, and the Sandia National Labs/DOE Dining Facility.