Operation Ornaments helps spread joy in Eastern Kentucky and those affected by natural disasters

WINCHESTER, Ky. (WTVQ) — “I always love opening the boxes. There is a feeling of love that comes when you open these boxes. It’s surprise, wonder and love. Because you know, people took time to create these ornaments,” says Laura Davis, co-founder of an initiative called Operation Ornaments.

To some, a Christmas tree isn’t just a decoration for the holidays, but rather a symbol of resiliency.

“At first, it was just a group of friends that decided we can’t replace the things that people lost, and ornaments have a sentimental value. So we could get them started, and we could also show them that they’re not forgotten that people across the United States are praying for them or thinking about them or creating things, especially for them at this time of year,” added Davis.

Operation Ornaments is a project that has continued to grow since its inception, three years ago.

“We had 6000 ornaments and it was for the Kentucky flood people here in Winchester and Beattyville and Estill County, and then it grew from that the next year, we had the tornado down in Mayfield in southern Kentucky, northern Tennessee. We get 12,000 ornaments that year and this year, we got over 18,000 ornaments I had asked for 8,000. That was kind of what we were targeting,” she added.

Davis one of the co founder’s of the initiative Operation Ornaments says one of the best parts of the project is seeing where the ornaments people make come from.

“The person who sent the one from China, she said that she’s going to reach out to other countries because she works with the U.S. Consulate there and she’s going to try and get more countries represented next year, so that’s exciting,” she also says.

Adding that some who have donated ornaments have also found themselves on the opposite side of the spectrum.

Davis talking about one of the ornaments says “this little sheep here is from a gal named Katherine in Utah, and she sent 12 sheep last year, she took the wool from her lambs and created these instead. After she sent these to me for this year, her house burned down so we have a package of ornaments, especially for her so that she can feel the love that she paid forward.”

This year, Davis says they got over 18,000 ornaments and were able to help 1,300 families in Eastern Kentucky.

“What happens in a disaster is there’s this immediate rush to help with diapers and clothing and let’s muck out their homes. But a couple of weeks later, they’re forgotten, and they have to still rebuild their lives and the holidays come and it’s very hard because they don’t have their sentimental ornaments,” she says.

For more information on Operation Ornaments, click here.