Photo courtesy of Sheriff Curt Pennala Keweenaw County Undersheriff Tonya Stefonich poses near the Sheriff’s Office Christmas tree with a doll that is waiting for Christmas delivery to a new home with a happy child.

EAGLE RIVER — The Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office is kicking off its 23rd annual No Kid Without a Christmas, Sheriff Curt Pennala announced on Wednesday.

Pennal said the program has been crucial in bringing Christmas to those in need.

“There are still many families in our community who, for many reasons, are less fortunate,” said Pennala. “We want to make sure that the less fortunate children are not forgotten at Christmas”

“We’re in the process of running the campaign now,” Pennala said. “It’s going to run until the end of the year.”

Pennala said that the usual procedure is to run the campaign through the two months, Nov. and Dec. and anything that is left at the end of the year is used to kick-start the next year.

“It really worked (well) with the past year, with the coronavirus,” he said, “and making it harder to find toys and find clothing near Christmas. We were able to get out and shop a little bit early.”

Pennala said that as in past years, monetary donations are appreciated, because it allows for fulfilling specific needs for specific children, based on information provided by the people who submit a child’s name for the program.

“One of the unique aspects of the No Kids Without a Christmas program is that it is tailored as much as possible to the needs and wants of the children,” he explained. “Our volunteers can then go out and shop based off of that.”

Monetary donations seem to fit the best, he said, but they obviously will also accept any type of toys or clothing for children.

Pennala said each year the program serves approximately 100 children, so it is a smaller program. For that reason, they are able to tailor it per child.

Teenagers are a bit more difficult to shop for, so if the Sheriff’s Office receives a list of their wants and needs, it is easier for the volunteers to shop, based off of that list.

Pennala said that on average, most of their referrals come from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), but also, when the deputies are out and making contact with various families, they will take referrals. Anyone wishing to add a referral to the list is welcome to call the Sheriff’s Office, too, he added.

The program is crucial to Keweenaw County, said the Sheriff, and last year was a complete success.

“Last year, we were able to provide a Christmas for everybody who signed up for the program.”

Pennala said it is sad that other county sheriff’s offices in the region do not operate similar programs, because they are a good public relations event, and allow the department personnel an opportunity to get to know their community members.

The program is all about the children and seeing that they still get to experience a Christmas that most had a chance to experience, he pointed out.

“It is truly heartwarming to see the community support of the program throughout the years,” he said. “Without the kind donations the program would not exist”

Families in need can call the Sheriff’s Office or apply through the local Department of Health and Human Services Office. If you or someone you know would like to donate to the program, please call the Sheriff’s Office 906-337-0528.There will be several drop boxes placed at local businesses throughout the community including Glacia Tavern and Lassila Insurance in Mohawk.