Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports that on Monday, November 26^th the Clarinda Police Department will begin “Operation Blessing” 2018. This community project embodies the spirit of Christmas by helping to make sure every child in Clarinda receives a gift on Christmas day. Retired Police Chief Joe Newton and retired 911 Communications Supervisor Diane Newton will be managing the program again this year. Children, ages infant-through seventeen (18) may be signed up for involvement in the program by calling the police department records office during regular business hours at 712-542-2194, extension 203 (records office). The caller will be asked to provide the child’s name, age, sex, address and two gift requests per child. Names of children can be submitted beginning Monday, November 20^th and will be accepted through Thursday, December 20th.

Cash donations in c/o of Operation Blessing 2018 can be delivered to Chief Brothers at the police department or mailed to the Clarinda Police Department, Attn: Operation Blessing, 200 South 15th Street, Clarinda, Iowa 51632. Cash donations will be used by the Clarinda Police Department to purchase gifts for the children. If you wish to purchase a specific gift for a child, please contact the Clarinda Police Department and ask to speak with Joe and Diane Newton regarding purchasing a specific requested gift item(s).

Families will be contacted by the Clarinda Police Department when the gift items are ready to be picked up. If a family is unable to pick up the gifts, uniformed officers of the Clarinda Police Department will deliver the gifts.