CHEER holds annual Christmas operation for seniors

"We are providing Christmas, you are providing Christmas for each and every one of those people ," said CHEER executive director Ken Bock.

Dozens of volunteers gave up spending Christmas day with their families to deliver food and presents to seniors living in Sussex County who were spending the holiday alone.

"We have delivered meals to people today who may not see anybody else on Christmas day, may not receive a Christmas present from anyone ," said CHEER nutrition program director Florence Mason.

Cheer Inc., held it's 25th annual Operation Christmas CHEER event where a total of 260 isolated seniors were visited by more than 70 volunteers.

"The people who volunteer get  two or three people, if they volunteer the year before we give them the same ones so they can follow the seniors year after year ," said Mason.

"My husband and I have been helping the people at CHEER out for about 7 years now," said volunteer Tanuya Wilkens.

Several organizations across the county donated clothes, blankets, pet food and more for the cause.

Volunteers picked up a meal and a gift for either a male or female, and delivered presents to the elderly.

"We like to help people that maybe their Christmas isn't as happy as a lot of other people, so it makes me feel good to be able to come here and give people a card, a present, a hot Christmas dinner," said Wilkens.

Mason has been apart of the operation for more than 20 years and it's had a huge impact on her life.

"This is my heart. This program today is my heart. It's a way to give back to people that I know from the heart," said Mason.