Operation Noel Holiday Campaign

Operation Noel is a 501(c)3 organization established to provide coats to thousands of underprivileged children in El Paso and its surrounding communities during the Christmas season.

In 1939, Ruth Pooley, the wife of the Herald Post Editor, saw that a local jeans manufacturer had a “Little Boys” fund that provided new jeans for disadvantaged boys. She decided girls needed to be helped as well, so she began “The Little Girls Dress Fund,” asking readers to bring in new dresses or send in donations. When enough money was raised, she would buy new dresses for these little girls. This practice continued until the early 1980's, when a Herald Post Reporter took over the project.

The name was changed to Operation Noel and included both boys and girls. The focus was changed to sweat suits and jeans. By that time, several agencies were involved and several thousand children were helped.

The idea behind Operation Noel changed again when organizers learned that these children did not have coats to wear in the winter because their families couldn’t afford them. The organizers contracted a local apparel company in El Paso, who in turn contracted a supplier to produce coats specifically for the children of Operation Noel.

The lists of children who receive these coats are compiled from September through November by caseworkers and school counselors. More than 65 agencies and schools select the children who are most in need. Head Start program in El Paso and the El Paso Housing Authority usually receive the most coats – on an average 3,400 and 2,700, respectively.

Our partners in Operation Noel are JDW Insurance, KDBC-TV and the El Paso Times who make public awareness possible by featuring stories on local TV Channel 4 and in the newspaper of the families that benefit from Operation N  el. These stories are featured every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. A telethon is held in early December which sparks enthusiasm from the community and viewers who reach out in a giving-spirit to make a difference.

All funds raised through individual, corporate, and organizational donations as well as the Operation Noel Telethon go towards paying the entire bill for the cost of the coats. Sierra Providence Health Network is Operation Noel’s largest donor.

Monetary donations for Operation Noel are accepted throughout the year. Anyone wishing to contribute should send contributions to:

Operation Noel
P.O. Box 981021
El Paso, TX 79998-1021