ABQ Times

Today, 150 families gathered at the Cesar Chavez Community Center in Albuquerque for the 47th annual Operation Holiday Cheer. This event, organized by the City of Albuquerque's Health and Social Services Centers in partnership with Kirtland Air Force Base, featured a holiday lunch served by active and retired firefighters from Kirtland Air Force Base. The menu included homemade pozole and chicken nuggets for children.

"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.

Terence Eaton, Battalion Chief of Kirtland Fire Department, expressed his enjoyment of the program: "For the many years I have been involved in this holiday program, I've enjoyed seeing the smiles on people's faces." He emphasized the importance of community involvement: "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."

Santa Claus made an appearance after lunch, distributing toys to excited children. Isaiah Chavez shared his experience: "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."

Mayor Tim Keller highlighted the city's commitment to creating special memories during the holidays: "We will continue to step up to help families make special memories during the holiday season. 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."

Mayan Armijo, Manager of the Health and Social Services Division, expressed gratitude towards Kirtland Air Force Base: "Seeing children's faces light up when Santa walks through the door makes this event worth it each year. 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 Santa's visit, families enjoyed holiday music and activities. Albuquerque Fire Rescue showcased a firetruck while Biopark staff introduced animals for educational purposes.

Chazz Peterson from ABQ BioPark stated their long-standing participation: “The ABQ BioPark is proud to have been a part of this holiday celebration for many years.” He added that it is an honor “to support the community through this event and help foster meaningful connections between people and nature.”

Funding came from various community partners including Honeywell. This marked the third year at Cesar Chavez Community Center.

The City's Health and Social Services Centers provide numerous services such as eviction prevention along with food and clothing assistance.