MARTINSBURG â When Operation Christmas Teen began almost 15 years ago as a nonprofit organization focused on providing gifts to older youth during the Christmas season, organizer Kathy Cole didnât realize sheâd have pages and pages of teens in need of gifts years later.
Operation Christmas Teen is specifically targeted at teenagers who are not usually eligible to receive gifts through other organizations because of their age but are not adults and otherwise may not receive gifts.
The organization gives Christmas gifts to teens in Berkeley, Morgan and Jefferson counties over the age of 13.
âFifteen years ago, I started this for the teens who were going without a Christmas. It is all about my kids. I call them my kids, but it truly is all about the teens,â Cole said. âWe have been overwhelmed with the need in the area this Christmas because of the pandemic. Every year, there are teens in need, but this year, it is especially true.â