Operation Zoe - The true spirit of giving overflows with generosity at Cornerstone Covenant

And from their hearts an abundance did flow …

An annual tradition – a way of giving back – at Cornerstone Covenant Church took on a new life this year and the end result was more than any of the congregation members could have imagined. Operation Zoe has been taking place at Christmas time the past few years, but this year, the activity was opened to the public.

“This is a project we started several years ago. We ask the congregation to bring toys and boy did tehey,” Pastor Michael Willard said.

Combine the generosity of the congregation and the community, along with a vision from a few of the church members, and Operation Zoe was turned into a Wintery Wonderland Toy Store. The event took place inside the Academic Resource Building (ARC building at the Cornerstone Covenant Church).

“We were able to serve about 250 to 270 kids with the generous donations from our congregation members,” Pastor Willard said. “Through the support of our community kids also enjoyed cookies and milk, and Goode Paty Events brought a few of their characters out for the kids to visit.”

An idea that originally was aimed at providing one toy to a child, exploded into children and families receiving three or four gifts and some left over. The gifts included toys, clothing, baby items, car seats, formula, TVS, bicycles and so much more.

“Our congregation collected donations from Dec. 1 through the 17 and the generosity that was demonstrated was mind blowing,” he said. “It can be hard to shop for teens, but our congregation didn’t let them go forgotten. There were electronics, TVS, headphones and more for our teenagers too.”

As the community, and the nation, continues to go through a season where many families are worried about finances and dealing with the unknown, the spirit of giving has not been

diminished.

“To see people come together to serve the community was amazing,” Willard said. “Our congregation is already taking about how they are ready to do it again next year.”

Willard continued, “This was truly something to behold, especially in this season.”

To find out more about Cornerstone Covenant Church, visit the Facebook page or visit the website at cccbigspring.org. The church is located at 706 E. 12th.

Courtesy photos Cornerstone Covenant Church looked to continue a giving tradition - Operation Zoe - as the congregation members were tasked with bringing a toy donation. This year, the project took on a new life and was expanded to include the community and ended up with an amundance of toys after helping more than 250 families. Donations of toys, car seats, formulas, televisions, bikes, and more were donated by the community and congregation members.