Sixty deserving children and nearly 30 needy families had a brighter holiday season this year, thanks to the volunteers and donations of Operation Santa Claus.

Now in its 15th year, Operation Santa Claus delivered food and gifts to 27 families in the North Bend and Snoqualmie areas for 2007.

The holiday drive is run by officer supervisor Kym Smith and administrative assistant Jennifer Bourlin, who both work at the King County Sheriff’s Office substation in North Bend. Presents are delivered by sheriff’s deputies to needy families, identified through the day-to-day work of deputies as well as staff members of the Snoqualmie Valley School District.

Operation Santa Claus has grown a lot since it began in 1992, helping six families at that time.

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