DOWNEY — Nearly 200 foster and in-need children received some holiday cheer this week, thanks to Operation Happy Child.

Operation Happy Child was spearheaded by Alex and Kristy Vargas, Community Outreach Directors at New Season Church in Los Angeles.

According to Vargas, he was initially presented the opportunity to bring some holiday cheer to 40 children.

“I work very closely with the Department of Child Family Services as well as Downey Unified School District,” said Vargas. “So, they reached out to me and informed me that they had a list of children that were not receiving Christmas gifts. With the COVID pandemic, it’s just been a hard year for so many people.”

“My wife and I…we started thinking and brainstorming and the idea of Operation Happy Child popped in our head.”

Vargas partnered with various community churches, businesses, government organizations and community members including Imago Dei Church, Mirra Church, Hearts After Jesus Ministry, Gangs out of Downey, Risher Mortuary, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Heart of Compassion, ABC Donuts, Downey Police Department, Downey Fire Department, Samuel Jebanantham, Dr. Jack Miranda and the Jesse Miranda Center, Mayor Claudia M. Frometa, and former mayor Rick Rodriguez.

Through these collaborations, the original 40 intended was able to balloon to 180.

“The amazing thing is they’re not getting one gift; they’re getting multiple gifts,” said Vargas. “They were able to provide another list of [the kids] clothing size, their shoe size, and a wish list of what these children would like for Christmas.”

“Most of these children are getting everything that was on that list.”

 Vargas says that the plan is to now make this a yearly effort.

“On this scale, this is the first time that we’ve done something like this,” said Vargas. “This is something that just grew within a few weeks.

“We’re expecting that this is going to be something we’ll be doing every year, and we’re expecting it to grow and get bigger. There are so many families that are struggling; we just want to do our part and help give blessing to these children.”