Operation Hope consolidation serves thousands, strengthens Summit County support

On December 12 the Christian Center of Park City convened its annual Operation Hope toy and coat drive at Utah Valley University Wasatch campus, combining resources to serve families from both Wasatch and Summit counties in a single consolidated event. Organizers reported that roughly 1,700 to 2,000 children were served, with each child able to choose three gifts plus a stocking stuffer. That choice translated to an estimated 6,800 to 8,000 gift items distributed during the event.

The consolidation allowed volunteers and donors to reach a wider population more efficiently. A gift wrapping station processed donations on site while corporate and community partners contributed items and funds, including support from wine and restaurant businesses as well as local bookshops. Heavy volunteer participation from local groups such as Wasatch High School Latinos In Action helped staff registration, sorting and distribution, reducing labor costs and improving throughput.

Alongside Operation Hope the Wasatch Community Foundation ran a companion food drive that assembled about 1,200 food bags intended to carry families through the winter break. Those bags had a combined value of roughly 90,000 dollars, which works out to about 75 dollars per bag. The timing addressed a predictable gap in meal access when school nutrition programs pause for the holiday break, a recurring local challenge for households with children.

The combined effort offers immediate relief and a test case for cooperative service delivery across neighboring counties. Consolidating drives can create economies of scale in logistics, volunteer coordination and donor outreach, helping stretch philanthropic dollars and volunteer hours further. For Summit County residents the event translated into direct household support this holiday season, reducing short term food and clothing insecurity for hundreds of families.

Longer term, the partnership underscores the role of local nonprofits, schools and businesses in buffering community needs. If similar cooperative models are expanded, policymakers could consider targeted support to nonprofits during high demand periods to sustain capacity and reduce administrative burden across jurisdictions.