Operation Santa: How one rural town in Eastern Washington comes together each Christmas

By: Monica Carrillo-Casas

Outlets: The Spokesman-Review

Published: December 8, 2025

Words: 530

Last Updated: 5 days, 4 hours ago

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KETTLE FALLS – In a small northeast Washington town, community members come together each year to make sure every Christmas wish comes true.

They call it “Operation Santa.”

“It’s a very emotional thing for me because I was raised poor and didn’t have much,” said Charles Omit, who runs the community store. “It’s all about the kids.”

Operation Santa, a community store in rural Kettle Falls, delivers smiles, relief and holiday cheer to families across …

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