Operation R.E.A.C.H.

Operation R.E.A.C.H. in operation, December 8th, 2017 Photo Credit: Operation R.E.A.C.H. Roane County Facebook page

Operation R.E.A.C.H. is an organization here in Roane County that helps give underprivileged children in grades K-8th and their families a happy Christmas. Operation R.E.A.C.H. has been in operation since 1975, with only a few years of this event not happening because of sickness. This always occurs early in the month of December at the Walmart in Rockwood. When the children are done shopping, they are taken to a local cafeteria or gym where the volunteers help them wrap their gifts. Before they leave, they all have a big Christmas lunch together. There were two different opportunities to go out and help the children this year: one on the ninth and the other on the tenth of December. The one on the ninth is for Dyllis Springs Elementary, local middle schools, and special needs children, and the one on the tenth is for everyone else. Operation R.E.A.C.H. goals are high: they want to raise $135,000 to help 565 children and their families have a very merry Christmas. This is also a nonprofit organization, which means that all the money they receive is from people in the community who donated to the organization and from grants they have received throughout the year. Roane County is so lucky to have such a wonderful organization ensuring local children have a very merry Christmas!